Laughter fills the room.
“Um… can I have a minute?” Katherine speaks up, voice tentative.
Everyone exchanges knowing look, then quickly exit.
She sits beside me, fidgeting.
It’s crazy, she looks so much like Kazimir it aches.
I reach out and take her hand. “How are you holding up?”
She laughs softly. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“Maybe. But you’ve had your own hell to walk through.”
She nods. “I’m okay. Better, most days.”
“I’m glad,” I whisper.
She hesitates, then blushes. “I was wondering… could I come live with you?”
I blink. “Seriously?”
She nods fast. “I know you’ll be training to get back in shape, and… I want to learn.”
How could I say no to another female wanting to learn to kick ass?
“If that’s what you want, then yeah,” I nod. “But you’re taking online courses too.”
“What if I want to join Onyx?” Her eyes gleam with hope.
“Still need an education,” I say with a smirk.
“Deal.” She grins and reaches out. We shake on it.
The door bursts open.
“You can’t go home yet. Another day or two,” Lily announces with a scowl.
Mrs. Salone pokes her in the ribs. “Lily, dear. She just woke up from a coma.”
“You did call me damaged goods earlier,” I say, grinning.
“Maximus was coming at you like a bull in a china shop,” Lily fires back.
We all laugh.
“Where is he anyway?” I ask.
Lily smirks. “I sent him to get your ‘necessities.’ Told him to bring a book too.”
“This is why I love you.”
“I love you too,” she says, soft but firm. “But no more almost dying.”
“No promises.”
Chapter 20
