Page 26 of Dark Consequences

“Why? How does that help you against Xiao?”

“I know how men like Xiao think, Lily. In his mind, you and Mei have been kidnapped, not rescued. So when he sees that you two are doing fine and are even happy, it’ll piss him off.”

“Make him angry enough to lash out. Like you want him to. Like he’s already done,” I conclude.

“Exactly. Now you’re getting it.”

“Raphael,” I sigh. “Why do you even care if we’re okay or happy? You don’t know us. You don’t owe us anything.”

“That’s true,” Raphael agrees. “Maybe it’s because you’re both innocent in all of this, and if I can do anything to help you get back the life that was stolen from you, I will. It’s the least I can do for you after you agreed to help.”

Yep. I’m in danger of falling, alright.

14

Raphael

Ionce heard that doctors make the worst patients. Whoever coined the idea was one hundred and fifty percent right because this damn woman is testing my patience.

“How about you just sit there and relax? Hmm?” I suggest, my tone heavy with sarcasm since this is my fifth time I’m telling her the exact same thing.

Lily groans and rests her head back on the sofa. “But I need to check on Enzo and Evie.”

“And you will get the chance when you’re no longer running a fever,” I remind her once again.

“But I’m not running a fever.”

“A fever is anything higher than 100 degrees, right?”

She narrows her blue eyes at me, knowing full well that I’m right. “Yes.”

“And what was your temperature fifteen minutes ago?”

“It was 100.8,” she mumbles before tacking on, “which is not even that high.”

“It’s higher than it was this morning, and we don’t want to risk Enzo or Evie getting sick while they’re recovering. Do we?” I ask, compelling to her doctor's side.

“No.” She pouts.

“Or Mei?” I sent her daughter upstairs to spend the day with Rose while her mom focused on getting better. The only reason Lily agreed is because deep down, she knows I’m right.

“Well, what about you?” she counters, a little rebellious fire sparking in those captivating blue eyes of hers. I’m instantly transfixed by the sight. “What if you get sick?”

I pick up the tray of tea, medicine, and food and bring it over to the couch. “Someone had to make the sacrifice. I volunteered.”

Lily raises a brow. “You volunteered?”

“Yes.”

“Bullshit.”

Her single word makes me pause in the middle of pouring her a glass. I glance over and meet her feverish gaze. “Bullshit?”

“Yeah.” She shrugs a single shoulder clumsily. The fever is affecting her motor movements in a way that makes her almost appear drunk in a cute way. “It’s not like you’d let anyone else watch me.”

Her walls appear to be crumbling, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s the fever or something deeper that’s causing her to be more open with me. Either way, it’s quite a sight to see and I want more.

“I can’t trust anyone else with you.”

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