His protector

Chapter 13- Mila

The first thing I felt was a deep aching pain in my abdomen, it was like my body has been run over by a bus, every inch heavy and sore.I groaned softly, my eyes fluttering open to the dim light of the hospital room.It took me a few seconds to adjust to my surroundings.

I could hear the steady being of the machines and then I saw him, Kai, sitting slumped over a chai beside my bed, his head resting on the edge of the mattress, his hand loosely in mine. His face was lined with exhaustion.

My throat was dry as I remember what had happened before I lost consciousness. The attack at the gala, the chaos flashing through my head. I vaguely remember being shot right when we were about to flee but somehow I was alive.

I tried to speak but my voice came out a whisper as I said Kai's name.

He stirred lightly, mumbling something in his sleep I didn't understand but didn't wake. I swallowed and called out his name a little louder. "Kai?" This time he jolted awake, his hand tightening around mine involuntary. His eyes snapped open, blinking in confusion, taking the room in when they landed on me. For a minute he just stared at me as if I wasn't real.

"Mila." He breathed, his voice filled with relief, his shoulders visibly relaxed. "You're awake, thank God."

I offered him a small smile. "Thank you for bringing me here." He shook his head.

"You scared the hell out of me, angel." He admitted " I'm so glad you're awake. This is all my fault!"

"Hey, this isn't your fault! You didn't bring those men and told them to attack, you were a target just as much as I was." His jaw tightneded.

He exhaled. "Let's not talk about this right now? Yeah? You just woke up." I nodded, we could discuss later when we return to the mansion.

"How long was I out?" I asked. I still felt tired and I felt like I could sleep an entire day.

"Two days," Kai replied, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

I chuckle "Well with this occasion I managed to get my beauty sleep." Kai laughed, shaking his head. I tried to lighten the mood because I could see how worried he was, he didn't even let go of my hand.

Before I could say something else, the door suddenly flew open with a loud bang, startling the both of us. My eyes widened impossibly wide and I'm pretty sure my jaw hung open. Rhys. My fucking best friend who last time I talked to was in Russia is standing in front of me in flesh and bones.

"Mila!" Rhys practically shouted, rushing to my bedside. " Holy hell! You look like shit, woman!" He skidded to a stop next to Kai who barely moved before Rhys was leaning down to wrap his arms around my body. I chuckled as he hugged me impossibly tight.

"Rhys," I wheezed, wincing from my wound he accidentally pressed against. "Gently, asshole!"

He quickly pulled back, " Right, sorry I just-"

"Who are you?" Kai interrupted making us both turn in his direction, he looked more angry than confused and I didn't understand why.

"He's Rhys. The guy I told you about while we were making cookies?" I said and recognition entered on Kai's face.

" So you've been talking about me, huh? You must be Kai. " I rolled my eyes at his cocky stance as he looked Kai up and down.

"Pleasure to meet you." Kai greeted out, throwing him a forced smile which Rhys returned the gesture.

"Okay, let's calm down guys. What are you doing here, Rhys? Shouldn't you be in Russia?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Lark called me, he said the chip in your body transmitted blood loss and sent me to check on you since you didn't answer your calls. You know how worried I was?! What fucking happened?" I still hate wearing a chip was a requirement for the job.

"We were at a gala and there had been a shooting, I've been shot while fighting one of the men. The usual." I said casually.

Rhys rolled his eyes and then turned to Kai pointing at him. "You! Why are you okay?"

"I could have been a lot happier to be the one on that bed than see her there! So I don't know why I am the okay one." Kai replied crossing his arms. I groaned. Mental note these two have to never meet again.

Rhys rolled his eyes. "Stop the teathrics, Bianchi.  And you?" He turned to me "I'm dragging your ass back to Russia. I don't give a shit of who will try to stop you. I don't want you hurt again."

"I'm not going-"

"She'll go with you." Kai said and I froze, staring at him. His expression was unreadable as he looked at my friend.

"What?" I rasped.

"I've made a mistake by hiring you as my bodyguard. I'll talk with one of my men and we'll ship all of your stuff back to your home. "

"Are you kidding me?! Just because I got shot once doesn't mean I can't do my job well!" I snapped.

Kai shoot his head. "It's not about that. While you were unconscious I thought about it and I've been selfish. Staying with me will get you hurt, especially now that Vendetta is back on out tail." Kai spoke.

"It's settled then-" Rhys began but I interrupted him.

"That's against the point of having a bodyguard, Kai! I'm supposed to take a hit for you so you could be safe and now? You need someone to protect you now more than ever!" How can he not see this?

Kai's jaw flexed. "I don't want anybody hurt because of me. I'll take care of myself."

I felt anger rising through my veins. "I want both of you out. I don't want to see either of you. " I said instead of lashing out more. I was fucking exhausted and my head already started hurting.

"Mila-" Kai began but Rhys grabbed his arm and began dragging him out of the hospital room.

"Let's give her some space. We'll talk later." And with that they closed the door behind them and I sinked back into the bed closing my eyes.

I don't understand why I got so mad about leaving Kai. I was supposed to be relieved, I didn't want to do this in the first place so why was I so angry Kai was throwing me out the window and the first sign of weakness from me?

I've never been shot I'm the entirety of my jobs, it was just a stupid mistake, a miscalculation that won't happen again. And I guess a mistake really could cost you everything.