She straightened instinctively. "Sir?"
"You'll be attending to Mr. Sorrento's care." No room for argument. No explanation needed.
Hailey, who had been standing just behind her, let out a sharp breath. "You mean personally?"
Dr. Hathaway didn't even acknowledge her. "Ensure he receives nothing less than perfection."
Lily's heart thudded against her ribs.
Her? Assigned to him?
"But, sir, I—"
"You've built a reputation for being meticulous and professional," he cut her off, his gaze steady. "You are one of our best. And we cannot afford mistakes where Mr. Sorrento is concerned."
Lily swallowed hard. This wasn't a request. It was an order.
Hailey, never one to hold back, leaned in and muttered under her breath, "Damn. If you mess this up, forget losing your job—we might disappear."
Lily shot her a warning glance before inhaling deeply.
"Understood," she said, her voice steady.
But inside?
Inside, something felt dangerously close to unraveling.
___
Nikolai injuries weren't severe—nothing life-threatening. A deep gash above his brow, a bruised rib, and a minor wound on his side. It was nothing a few stitches and rest couldn't fix, but for someone of his status, even a small injury warranted absolute discretion.
And absolute control.
Lucas had ensured Nikolai was placed in the most secure section of the hospital, where only trusted staff were allowed. Yet, despite the luxury, the atmosphere inside the VIP ward was anything but comfortable.
Lily approached the door with careful steps.
She didn't need to ask what had happened inside—the evidence was clear. A handful of younger nurses, their faces pale with barely concealed distress, hurried out of the room. One clutched an empty dinner tray like a lifeline, while another muttered something under her breath, shaking her head as they rushed past Lily.
Her chest tightened, but she didn't falter.
She stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of a bedside lamp casting sharp shadows across the space. It was elegant, designed for men like Nikolai Sorrento.
And there he was.
Reclined against crisp sheets, one arm draped lazily over his stomach. His sharp features, dark hair, and smoldering gray eyes make him impossible to ignore.
The cut above his brow had been cleaned, a faint smudge of dried blood the only trace of the wound.
His face, usually sharp and confident, looks slightly pale, but doesn't affect his oppressive aura a bit. His dark eyes flicked up at her entrance, cold yet curious.
But it wasn't Nikolai that made the air tense.
It was Lucas.
His gaze locked onto Lily like a threat, calculating, analyzing. He didn't need to say it out loud—he didn't trust her. Not after what had happened to the DiMario gang, not with the city's balance hanging by a thread.
"State your name," Lucas said, his voice edged with authority.
Lily didn't flinch. "Lily Carter. Assigned to oversee Mr. Sorrento's care."
Lucas didn't look convinced. His stance was rigid, like he expected her to lunge at Nikolai at any moment.
"She's a nurse, Lucas. Not a hitman," Nikolai murmured, his voice laced with dry amusement.
Lucas didn't ease up, but after a long moment, he gave a reluctant nod, stepping slightly aside—but never too far.
Lily exhaled slowly and moved toward the bedside, checking Nikolai's IV drip and vitals with practiced efficiency.
He watched her.
Most people would fidget, stammer, avoid eye contact—especially under his scrutiny. But Lily?
She was composed. Professional.
Intriguing.
"You're not scared." His voice was smooth, unreadable.
Lily didn't glance up. "Should I be?"
A ghost of a smirk tugged at his lips. "Most are."
She didn't answer, focusing instead on adjusting his bandages. Her hands were steady, her touch precise—deft fingers working with a gentle efficiency that contrasted the cold weight of the room.
Lucas remained on edge, but Nikolai?
Nikolai was entertained.
For the first time that day, he found himself genuinely curious.
Lily wiped her hands on the small towel tucked into her scrubs as she stepped away from Nikolai's bedside. His fever had gone down considerably, and his vitals were stabilizing, but he was still in no shape to be moving around. She adjusted the IV line, making sure everything was in place before picking up her chart and scribbling down notes.
Lucas, though still on edge, eventually shifted his stance, seeming to accept her presence—begrudgingly.
"There," she said, straightening up. "If you need anything, ring the call button. I'll check back in later."
Nikolai's lips twitched slightly.
She ignored the expression on his face, gave a curt nod, and exited the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
The morning passed in a blur—rounds, assisting doctors, handling paperwork. It wasn't until lunchtime that she finally had a chance to breathe.
Lunch Break___
The hospital cafeteria was bustling with life—doctors, nurses, and interns all claiming their brief moment of rest before returning to their grueling shifts.
Lily slid into a seat across from Hailey, who was already halfway through her meal.
"So," Hailey began, stabbing her fork into her salad with unnecessary force. "What's it like treating him?"
Lily sighed, taking a bite of her food. "Like treating any other patient."
Hailey snorted. "Yeah, right. Because 'any other patient' has people walking on eggshells and clearing entire hallways."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. It's… intense. He doesn't talk much, but he watches everything. Like he's sizing people up."
Hailey shivered dramatically. "Creepy."
"It's his job," Lily murmured, almost to herself.
Hailey hummed, then smirked. "And let me guess—his right-hand man hates you?"
"Pretty much."
Hailey laughed. "Try not to get on his bad side. He looks like the kind of guy who doesn't give second chances."
Lily didn't reply. She didn't have to. She quickly finished her lunch and got back to work with the end of her break.
___
Lily knocked once before stepping back into the VIP suite.
This time, the tension was noticeably lower.
This time, Lucas didn't bristle when she entered. He simply watched, arms crossed, as she moved around the bed, checking Nikolai's vitals and adjusting his medication.
Lily moved with quiet precision, unwrapping the bandages around Nikolai's wound.