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I take James’s hand in mine and throw her a filthy look before heading out of the room, leaving Mikhail to do what the fuck he wants with that despicable woman. I have more important things pending and the first is to make sure James is okay.
CHAPTER 24
JAMES
Ana is quiet. I sense she is struggling and I’m not sure if it’s because of me and what I am, or the information Adele told her.
Despite what happened, my body may be suffering but I’m enjoying a sense of freedom I don’t believe I’ve ever had. I owe it all to Ana and her unwavering support and, as the doctor finishes patching me up, she sits on the edge of the private hospital bed and smiles with concern.
“Are you okay?”
“I am now.”
She chews on her bottom lip and appears unsure of something, and I reach for her hand.
“You have questions.”
“I suppose.” She looks down and her voice is soft. “I can’t wrap my head around what she did to you. Whatyou allowed her to do? I mean–” She lifts her eyes and I detect the anxiety in them. “I’m worried about you.”
“I know.”
I hold her hand tenderly and sigh. “It has a lot to do with my childhood, I guess. The way my mom was abused and the strength it gave her, probably. She was the strongest woman I ever met, but also the weakest one around him. When Adele started this, how can I say this? It was familiar. It brought me closer to my mom because she went through it too.”
“James.”
Tears stream down her face and I brush them away with my fingers. “I realize it’s fucked up, but it became the only way I could deal with my life. Dylan was out of control and I was bailing him out more and more. He suffered a gunshot and was stabbed three times and I couldn’t lose him. He is all I’ve got.”
She smiles, but I watch the pain darken her expression and tug her gently toward me.
“Then I met you. A woman with so much strength but also incredibly sexy with it. You gave me the power to break the cycle and I owe you my life.”
She nuzzles her face against my chest and whispers, “Same. You have taught me so much already, James. I hate what you’ve been through.”
“It’s over now. I’m not that man anymore. I’ll leave The Rose Foundation and make a fresh start.”
“What will you do?” She peers up at me anxiously.
“I have a few ideas. I’ve had many offers over the years. Maybe I’ll call in a few favors.”
“I could help.”
She smiles and I shake my head. “If I am to deserve you, I must make my own way.”
“Me?”
“Yes, mysterious lady. I want to make you proud of me, to earn your heart, and if I do this, I do it alone.”
“But–”
“There is no but. I want to make you proud of me, Ana, and if you head back to Russia, I will deal with that when it happens.”
“I must go back.”
She shakes her head sadly. “It’s where I live. Where I belong. My family and my business are there.”
“I know.”
I smile, but I’m being torn apart inside. I’ve just found her and now I’m going to lose her. It’s too much to bear and yet I don’t have the right to ask her to stay. I have nothing to offer her and until I do, I will not make things difficult for her.
