His protector

Chapter 15- Mila

Kai's breath was shallow, ragged as he tried to stand up on his own, but his legs gave out under him, and I caught him before he fell to the ground, pulling is arm over my shoulder. "I got you." I said, my arm wrapping around his waist for support, careful to not touch any wounds. His weight pressed into me as he leaned heavily on me, the sharp intake of breath indicating how much it hurt just to stand.

He shook his head trying to let go off me. "No, your wound-" he rasped but I held into him tightly.

"I'm fine. Let's get you to your room." I took it slow, guiding him towards the door. His steps were sluggish but together we managed to slip out of the hidden room and back into the hallway.

We walked in silence and though Kai didn't say anything, his body told her enough. The occasional since and tension of his muscles, it was clear that every movement sent waves of pain through him but he didn't complain. Not once.

When we reached his room, that was right next to mine, I pushed it open with my free hand and guiding him inside. The room, was large and luxurious. The bed was draped in dark silk sheets, looking untouched as if it was more for show than comfort.

"Let's get you cleaned up," I murmured, helping him to sit on the edge of the bed. He groaned softly as he lowered himself. Kai sat there for a moment, his head hanging low, his dark beautiful hair falling into his face. The dim light of the room casted shadows across his bruised skin.

I went to the bathroom to grab a clean towel, a bowl of water along with a first aid kit that I found under the sink. When I returned, I knelt beside him, dipping the towel into the water and gently pressing it against one of the welts on his back.

Kai hissed, his muscles tenses under the contact. "Sorry," I whispered.

"You don't have to do this." He muttered, his voice rough. I glanced up at him.

"Yes. I do." He didn't argue, he just sat there, letting me work. The silence wasn't uncomfortable but think with unspoken words.  "Why didn't you fight back?" I asked softly.

Kai was quiet for a moment before replying "I felt like I deserved it. He never went this extreme anymore but..."he paused, his faced twisted in pain but not because of his wounds. "He returned this morning, he was furious. He find out about the contract, about the attack from Vendetta, you being in hospital and he witnessed my brothers death." His voice cracked on the last words. My heart broke for him. He knew Leo was going to die but he didn't even get to say goodbye to him.

I kept tending to his wounds, the gentle pressure of the towel doing little to soothe the deeper scars. "I'm sorry about your brother. " I whispered not wanting to hurt him more than he already is.

"I thought I'd get to see him one last time. To say goodbye, but I guess I don't even deserve that. I'm horrible son and brother. Instead of being with him I was here in New York, partying." He let out a shaky breath, leaning forward slightly, and for a second I thought he might collapse again but instead he rested his forehead against my shoulder, his body trembling. "I'm so tired, Mila. I don't know how much longer I can keep going." I closed my eyes, moving my hand through his hair, trying to soothe him.

I didn't have the answers, I didn't know how to fix everything that was broken inside him. But I knew I wasn't going to let him go through this alone. "You don't have to. Not anymore." I whispered.

For the longest time we just sat there, the silence between us comforting in a way words never could be.

I finished cleaning and bandaging his back and helped him lay on his stomach on the bed, making sure his back wouldn't touch the mattress.

I adjusted the pillows beneath his head, making sure he was comfortable. "You should get some rest now." I whispered softly. Kai turned his head slightly, his dark eyes meeting mine. For a moment he was silent, his gaze searching mine.

"Mila," he murmured, tiredly. "Can you stay?" He didn't say it as a demand, or even an expectation. It was a plea, quiet and hesitant as if he wasn't sure whether he deserved the comfort he was asking for.

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I'll stay." I said quietly.

Kai let out a breath, his eyes closing for a brief second, the tension I'm his shoulders loosening slightly.

I moved around to the other side of the bed and sat down. Kai turned his body slightly wincing as he shifted closed to me. I scooted over to him, as he hesitantly rest his head on my chest. He looked his arm around my waist, his touch light, afraid to hold on too tight.

My heart beat steadily beneath him. As the minutes passed, he began to relax, his breathing slowing as the pain and exhaustion pulled at him.

I ran my hand through his hair, the other resting against the arm he had on my waist. He let out a shaky breath as his hand tightened slightly, holding on as if I was the one thing keeping him steady. "Mila?" He murmured, his eyes half closed.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry. I don't want you to leave me." He confessed and my chest tightened.

"I don't want to leave either." I whispered against his hair. I could feel the slow rise and fall of his breath, he was one step away from falling asleep.

As he drifted off to sleep. I stayed awake. I have never imagined myself in this position but something inside her told her it was exactly where she needed to be.