Page 35 of Dark Consequences

My eyes roam over the dying doctor, and the devil on my shoulder whispers something dark and delicious in my ear.

“I think I have the perfect gift.”

17

Lily

“The cut looks great,” I tell Evie, gently running my fingers over the healing gash on her forehead. “Keep it covered for the next few days to be safe.”

“You’re positive it won’t scar?” Evie asks with hesitation in her voice.

“I’m sure. How’s your wrist?”

She holds up her brace-covered wrist. “Sore but I haven’t had to take painkillers today.”

“That’s good.”

“Speaking of, how are you feeling?” Rose asks as she multitasks, feeding Liam with one hand and cutting Christmas shapes out of cookie dough with the other.

My eyes shift to where Mei is busy combining ingredients for more dough with Alice at the counter. Raphael’s words about making good memories to replace the bad echo in my mind. A smile spreads across my face as I watch her create new and happy memories.

I turn back to Rose and Evie. “I’m fine. It was barely a fever.”

“That’s not what your nurse said.” Rose winks.

Evie grabs a bottle of orange liquid and pours a glass for herself. “And what a handsome nurse you had, too.” She pours another glass and pushes it toward me.

Picking up the glass, I sniff the drink and recognize the sweet and crisp scents of orange and champagne. I can’t even remember the last time I had alcohol, let alone a mimosa. Whenever Xiao forced me to drink, it was always straight tequila or vodka. Anything that rendered my senses useless and left me defenseless for him and his men to take advantage.

I start with a gentle sip, and when the flavor explodes on my tongue, I take another larger sip. Then I force myself to set it down because if I’m not careful, the alcohol will go straight to my head.

“Careful, Evie,” Rose warns her best friend with a laugh. “You don’t want Enzo hearing you say such things.”

Evie leans back in her chair and smiles coyly. “Maybe I do. Jealous sex is almost as good as angry sex.”

“Who’s having sex now?” A beautiful woman with tan skin, hazel eyes, and thick dark hair piled high in a messy bun asks as she enters the open kitchen. She’s the type of gorgeous that even dressed in scrubs with little to no makeup on, she just draws your eye immediately.

“Gabriella,” Alice greets the woman. So this is the elusive little sister. “Are you all done for the holidays, my dear?”

“Yes, I’m all yours, Mom.”

“Excellent. Have you met Lily and her daughter, Mei?”

Gabriella turns to me with a bright smile. “No, but I’ve been really looking forward to meeting you. I hope you’re feeling better.”

“I am. Thank you for your help. Raphael told me you’re about to graduate as a nurse practitioner?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you know what specialty you want to go into?”

“I was thinking pediatrics.” Her eyes drift between the kids, her features softening as she watches them. “I want to help give them a voice. Protect them. You know?”

“That’s honorable.” I admire.

Evie offers a glass of mimosa to Gabriella, who shakes her head. The Brit narrows her eyes and says, “What are you, pregnant?”

“Who’s pregnant?” Alice asks abruptly, the one word snagged her attention in an instant.

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