Page 77 of Merciless Union
I don’t really want to know at all.
I feel nervous as I walk down the sterile hospital hallway to see Nik. Will he be all right? I can’t lose my best friend.
There’s another flicker of at the back of my mind that says I’m nervous about Nik finding out how I feel about Arina. He’s never seen me like that. Vulnerable.
I knock on his door, stepping into the room. Nik is laying in bed, bandages wrapped all around his torso. The monitor attached to him is beeping steadily, which is a good thing. He opens his eyes – they’re bloodshot with dark bags under them.
I just stare at him, grateful he’s alive.
Nik cracks his lips open to speak. “You look like shit.” His voice is groggy.
I finally smile, approaching him. “I could say the same about you. But I wasn’t going to since I’m nice.”
He grunts. “When have you ever been known to benice? Don’t start now on my account.” The laugh he lets out is strained.
“I’d ask how you’re feeling but I think I can tell.”
“I’ve been better,” he says, smiling. “But at least I’m alive. That fucker Stepan couldn’t take me down that easily.”
“I’m going to get him. I promise you that.” My voice comes out rougher than I had planned.
“I know you will. Hell, I plan to be there when you do.”
I look him over. “I don’t think you’re in any condition to fight anytime soon. And I need the strongest men around me to help take Stepan down.”
Nik shoots me a look. “Even hurt, I’m still your strongest soldier and you know it.”
“True.” I cross my arms. “But it doesn’t look good – my second in command getting shot and almost dying. Stepan will just use this as momentum to take me down, drive more men to his side. Some men will view you getting hurt as a weakness on my part.”
“Then fuck them,” he say, shrugging. Well, as best as he can anyway. “You don’t want dishonest traitorous fuckers following you anyway. Maybe this will reveal who’s a weasel and who’s a real man. The ones who scurry off to Stepan’s side. And the ones who remain standing next to you.” He holds out his hand. “You know you always have me at your side.”
I grip his hand. “I know.” I let go, clearing my throat. “But Nik, if I get the opportunity to go after Stepan before you’re fully healed, I need you to promise you’ll rest. That you wont try to follow me.” He opens his mouth but I hold up my hand, silencing him. “I know you want to play your part in killing him. But I can’t risk you getting hurt even more. And right now, the reality is, your strength is down, whether you like it or not. So promise me you wont try to fight until you’re fully healed.”
Nik clamps his mouth shut, looking up at me with so much stubbornness in his eyes.
I shake my head, chuckling. “You’re going to be like that?”
“You know I can’t promise you that, Maxim. I’m your second in command. Your best friend. I’ll be there for you, whetheryoulike it or not. Fully healed, my ass. I’ll get out of this bed right this second if I have to if it means I get to fight beside you.”
I step back. “Fine. Then stand up.”
His eyes widen. “Right now?”
“Right now. If you’re so adamant you can do it, then stand up and prove to me you only look like shit.”
“Fine.” He sits up, grimacing. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed takes a lot of effort. It’s obvious on his face. He places his feet on the ground and pushes with all his might to stand up but it’s a struggle.
After watching him try for a moment, I finally put him out of his misery. “Ok, ok. Get back in bed.”
He slumps back down. “Fuck. I really tried. I swear.”
“I know you did.” I motion for him to lay back down. He obeys, very slowly. “The fact that you were willing to stand up for me right now shows me that you always have my back. But Nik, if you can barely stand, you’re no use to me in a fight. You know this.”
He sighs, his head hitting the pillow with a thump. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Come again?”
“Isaid, maybe you’re right, asshole.”
