Page 88 of Wounded King
Felix sees the bed and jumps off my arms. He throws me a glare that says he's not done being mad at me because he knows the whole thing is my fault, then sits down and begins licking himself.
"Be a good kitty. I'll be right back," I tell him, spotting the medicine cart in a corner and pushing it out into the living area.
"Did you bring any of his stuff by any chance?"
"Like?" Alejandro asks, throwing amber liquid down his throat.
"Uhm, a cat litter box? Food? Water dish?"
He stares at me as if I'd spoken Chinese. Sighing, I take that as a no. "No worries, I'll take care of it. Here," I point at one of the raised chairs by the kitchen counter, "sit."
I pour disinfectant over sterile gauze and begin taking care of Alejandro's various battle wounds. Some of the scratches are vicious and deep. "I'm so sorry Felix did this to you."
"I would have shot the damn thing if I didn't know how much you love him."
A small giggle escapes me because this entire situation is ridiculous. Not only is Alejandro a killer who wouldn't hesitate to shoot a person or a cat—if it wasn't mine—but also because Felix did such a number on him. I'm sure no human would have gotten away with what he did.
"I appreciate your restraint. Thank you." I manage to say this with a straight face.
"Marcello would have killed me if I did something to hurt you."
His words still me. Would he? I know it's wrong to feel flattered, but there it is. Maybe I'm more like Pippa than I realized. Or maybe I've picked up a few bad habits from her. I mean, when you spent most of your time with a certifiable psychopath… I had always hoped it would be the other way around, but here we are.
"Do I need stitches?" Alejandro asks, scrutinizing four nasty scratches on his arm.
"Nah, I think some antiseptic and antibiotic cream will do the trick. Felix is a pretty clean kitty."
He mumbles something aboutkittiesandhis ass, too low for me to understand.
"How come he's got such a nasty attitude?" Alejandro keeps the conversation going.
"He really doesn't. He's usually the sweetest kitty. I found him when he wasn't even weaned yet and hand-fed him." I dab antibiotic ointment on the scratches. "What would you do if a stranger came into your house and tried to put you into a bag?"
"I'd probably shoot him," Alejandro admits. "After I beat the crap out of him."
"Well, it's a good thing for you then that Felix doesn't own a gun."
Alejandro looks startled for a moment before he breaks out into laughter.
"Now I think you should take your shirt off," I suggest, seeing that it's ripped in many places.
He looks stunned, and I clarify. "To let me see the damage."
"Oh, right."
He takes his shirt off, revealing a nasty gash. "That will need a larger band-aid." I lean forward and carefully dab at the dried blood to see better what I'm dealing with. That's when the door opens.
And just like that, Marcello is home.
The entire elevator ride up, all I can think about is seeing Violet again. In my apartment. Our kiss still lingers on my lips, and there's nothing more I want than to pick up where we left off.
I should be thinking about this latest development with the Vegas family and the myriad of other problems hovering over me like the Sword of Damocles, but every time I try, hazel eyes pop up in front of my face and the scent of gardenias floats into my nostrils.
The guards by the door nod at me, and one opens the door. I can barely stop myself from running in and calling out her name. She is the first thing I see, and my heart takes a leap, before it stops, and cold fury rushes through me.
Violet is only dressed in a t-shirt—mine—and socks—also mine. The shirt reaches down to her knees, but I'm pretty sure she's not wearing a bra. Her blonde hair is loose and falls like a halo around her face and down her shoulders. That's not what has my heart stopping, though, nor is that why there is a fire of fury running through my veins. No, that is reserved for Alejandro, who sits half naked on one of my barstools, while Violet is leaned forward, studying his—fucking abs.
"What in the fuck is going on here?"
