Chapter 123

Evelyn stepped back into the bedroom clutching the first aid kit tightly in her hands.

Her knees hit the carpet as she knelt beside Dominic's injured legs, fingers trembling slightly as she began unwrapping the bloodied bandages.

The wounds were far worse than she'd anticipated.

A chunk of flesh was completely torn away from his thigh, exposing raw muscle tissue that glistened crimson under the lamplight...

The pain must have been excruciating.

Dominic barely flinched as Evelyn cleaned and redressed his injuries.

She noticed his jaw clenching when the antiseptic touched the open wound.

"It's just a surface wound. Doesn't hurt," he lied through gritted teeth, breaking the tense silence.

His attempt at reassurance only made her angrier.

Evelyn deliberately pressed a cotton swab against the deepest part of the wound, making Dominic suck in a sharp breath.

"Say that again," she challenged, her amber eyes glistening with unshed tears as she glared at him.

Dominic leaned back on his palms, his stormy gray eyes locking onto hers. "I said it doesn't hurt."

He was gambling that her soft heart wouldn't let her hurt him again.

The way her lower lip trembled betrayed how much his pain affected her.

"Get in bed! Doctor said you need complete bed rest for ten days minimum," Evelyn snapped, slamming the first aid kit shut before storming into the ensuite bathroom.

Dominic propped himself against the carved mahogany headboard and grabbed his phone from the nightstand.

One quick dial later, his voice turned icy. "Report."

The bullet had grazed his thigh but missed all major arteries. A calculated shot meant to maim, not kill.

His men were currently extracting information from the would-be assassin.

"Bastard's got an iron will. We'll need to escalate interrogation methods. Have answers by sunrise," the voice on the line reported.

"Keep him alive until he talks."

Dominic needed to know exactly which snake in his garden had dared to strike at him.

The car bombing six months ago had left him in a coma for weeks.

He wouldn't be caught off guard again.

Ending the call, Dominic retrieved his medication from the drawer - an assortment of painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories.

He dry-swallowed the handful of pills before reaching for the water glass.

Just as he set it down, the bathroom door swung open.

Evelyn emerged wearing one of his oversized dress shirts, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders.

"After careful consideration, I think it's best if I sleep in the guest room tonight," she announced, avoiding his gaze. "Wouldn't want to accidentally hurt you in my sleep."

Dominic's gaze darkened. "Is that really your concern?" His voice dropped an octave. "Or are you looking for an excuse to escape me?"

Cheeks flushing, Evelyn huffed and climbed into the king-sized bed, perching stiffly on the edge.

"Happy now?" She shot him a defiant look that didn't reach her eyes.

"In your current state, it's not like you could do anything even if you wanted to," she added with false bravado.

The challenge in her eyes ignited something primal in Dominic.

In one swift motion, he tangled his fingers in her damp hair and tilted her face up.

His lips crashed against hers in a searing kiss that left them both breathless.

At 3:17 AM, Dominic reached across the bed and hauled Evelyn's sleeping form against his chest.

She'd been curled on the very edge all night, as if afraid to touch him.

Earlier attempts to pull her closer had resulted in her sleepily wriggling back to her spot.

This time, he kept his arm firmly around her waist.

Evelyn's tense body gradually melted against his.

The sudden glow of his phone screen cut through the darkness.

Dominic answered the muted call without moving his arm from around Evelyn.

"We cracked him, sir. The shooter confessed Victoria Thorne hired him. That's Miss Evelyn's half-sister."

Dominic's grip tightened imperceptibly around Evelyn.

"Your orders regarding Victoria Thorne?" The voice asked. "Prison or permanent disposal?"

Dominic pressed a featherlight kiss to Evelyn's temple before growling his response into the phone.

"Make her disappear."