<b>Chapter </b><b>163 </b>
Nivera ignored the warmth that stirred in her stomach, helping him ease back onto the bed.
“I’ll get you something to eat,” she said quickly, more to steady herself than <i>for </i>him. “So you <b>can </b>take some medication.”
She turned and left before she could drown in the weight of his stare.
When she returned, carrying a tray with soup and water, Alejandro was propped slightly against the pillows. His face was pale, bruises harsher under themplight, but his gaze remained intact.
“Eat,” she said firmly, setting the tray on the nightstand.
“I don’t want to.”
She blinked at him. “Alejandro?”
“I said I don’t want to eat.” He crossed his arms–or tried to, wincing halfway through the motion. “I’m not hungry.”
Her jaw dropped slightly. “You’re unbelievable. You need food in your system before the medication.”
“No.”
“Yes!”
They went back and forth, her exasperation climbing until she finally huffed, scooping a spoonful of soup. “Fine. If you’re going to be stubborn, I’ll feed you myself.”
His eyes gleamed, smug even through the bruises. “Now you’re spoiling me.”
“Shut up and open your mouth.”
To her irritation, he obeyed far too easily, lips parting as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment.
And that was because he had.
She spooned the soup to his lips, and he swallowed slowly, never breaking eye contact.
The intimacy of the act gnawed at herposure until her hands felt clumsy, her breath uneven, as it reminded her of how he never broke eye contact when he was eating something or, more urately,
someone out.
Her cheeks immediately reddened as the memory hit her, and she was forced to clear her throat.
<b>07-29 </b><b>Sal</b><b>, </b>o sept
When the bowl was empty, she shoved the medication toward him. “Here. Take it.”
He obeyed without protest this time, swallowing the pills with a grimace
The tiny relief that flooded her chest was immediate. Hopefully, he’d get better once he got some
rest.
Turning to put the tray away, she sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes searching his battered face.
“What happened, Alejandro?” she asked softly.
He was silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. Then, with a sigh, he said, “I was beaten up.”
Her hand shot out, swatting his arm–not hard, barely more than a tap. If he still had the time to be annoying, then maybe the men hadn’t done a very good job.
“I can see that. But why? How?”
He leaned his head back, his gaze distant. “I was driving home when they surrounded me. A group of men. It was clear they were sent. I fought, but there were too many. Outnumbered.”
Her eyes widened, fear washing over her face. “Sent? By whom?”
He let out a slow exhale. “I must have pissed someone off recently.”
“Ss,” Nivera whispered, the name spilling from her lips before she could stop it.
Alejandro’s eyes flicked toward her, and then he nodded slowly. “Could be.”
Well, the guy was already an asshole, one more little fall wouldn’t hurt him.
Nivera’s stomach twisted, as what happened to him was her fault.
Tears stung her eyes, though she blinked them back. “I’m sorry. If it wasn’t for me-
19
“Don’t,” he cut her off gently, his tone soft yet firm. “Don’t apologize for someone else’s sins. Besides, we don’t know if it’s Ss. The men didn’t reveal.”
Nivera nodded, but the guilt still gnawed at her, but she swallowed it down. “You should rest.”
His lips quirked faintly. “Have you had dinner?”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, too quickly.
His frown deepened, but she shifted the conversation back before he could press. “Sleep, Alejandro.
<b>07:29 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>6 </b>Sept –
I’ll stay with you.”
Something in his chest tightened at those words. She said it so casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to watch over him.
He’d dly get beaten up every night if this meant this was what he’de home to.
“You n on sitting there all night,” he murmured, as he squinted his eyes at her.
“Yes, I’ll be fine,” she nodded.
“That’s nice but it would be warmer and much morefortable in here. Get in.”
Her breath caught. “Alejandro-”
“Get in,” he repeated, softer this time, coaxing. “Besides, I won’t be able to get sleep knowing you’re sitting there,” he then added.
She hesitated, weighing her options. She could leave him alone in such a state. What if he needed something?
But he wouldn’t be able to sleep if she didn’t get in?
Seconds passed, and finally, with a reluctant sigh, she slipped under the covers, careful to keep space between them.
Her resolve was iron: she would stay awake, ensuring he was okay.
But exhaustion clung to her limbs, and before long, her eyelids grew heavy. Her head tipped slightly toward him as her breathing evened.
Alejandro turned his head, his gaze lingering on her sleeping face<i>. </i>
A smile curved his split lip despite the sting. He had gotten exactly what he wanted.
Her walls had cracked, just enough.
And tomorrow, they’d crack again. And by the time she realized she was trapped, it would be far too
Victory felt good.