Page 155 of The Wrong Monster

For once in my life, I fucking sit when someone tells me to.

Art appears in the doorway.

“Boss.”

I look at him. His expression is careful.

“There’s an issue at Deep Waters.”

I almost laugh. Of course there is. There’s always an issue, and this time I don’t give a shit.

“Two of Yuri’s remaining men were spotted near the southern properties. A probe, not another push. Ariadna has eyes on them. We need to decide whether⁠—”

“No.”

He stops.

I look back at Matilda. Her eyes are closed, her breathing measured as another nurse adjusts something on the monitor.

“No?” Art repeats, his eyes flicking between us. There’s concern on his face, a tight muscle in his jaw; he’s trying to keep it together. For me, maybe. Or for Matilda.

“You and Ariadna can handle this.”

His eyebrows rise at that statement. “Okay. So what do you want⁠—?”

“Keep the properties covered. Check what they’re after. Timur handles the ordinary business; this goes through you. Call me if there’s an immediate threat to anyone.”

The words feel strange coming from me. Deep Waters has never waited. Not for holidays, injuries, funerals. Not for anything.

I have spent thirty years making sure it never had to.

But I’m looking at Matilda now, and something inside me settles with absolute certainty.

“I trust you to deal with Yuri’s men.”

Art goes silent. The doctor glances at me, clearly not thrilled with the language, though the nurse seems unfazed.

“I don’t need to stand beside you to make every decision.”

That gets everyone’s attention. Matilda’s gaze comes back into focus, and her hand squeezes mine in question. I squeeze back, reassuring, and continue talking to Art: “You have what you need. Give me an update when there’s something to report.”

“Vasily—”

“My family is in this room.”

There is no argument after that. Matilda’s fingers weaken slightly around mine, and I lean in closer.

“I’m here,” I whisper.

Her eyes open. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I should have called you sooner. Or let you stay⁠—”

I bring her hand to my mouth. “Don’t ever apologize for that.”

Her eyes fill with tears.