The Six: Genesis | A Reverse Harem Novel

Five

Painted a calming peach, the walls are bare except for two white and red basic abstract paintings hanging across from me beneath a large print circular clock. A pair of cushiony chairs sit against the bank of windows. White tiles lined the floor, artfully turned to the side to create a diamond effect.

Soft sheets wrinkle in my fingers, but my hospital gown is itchy on my skin. And the incessant pinging of my heart monitor coupled with the heavy footsteps outside bubble annoyance inside of me. Even after I tune them out and focus on Ryker, the sharp scent of chemicals and blood invades my nostrils.

This private hospital caters to a select few, offering the best medical care available on the planet. Ryker brought me here, to the edge of nowhere, to ensure the best hands in the world assisted with my recovery. None of them would ever touch me, not if everything went as planned.

"There's something else we need to talk about?"

"Oh?" He glances back at me, eyebrow raised. "What's that?"

"Are you going to replace Catrina?"

"Blue... don't."

"I heard someone mention it. I deserve to know what's going on with my security. It's me that dies if things go wrong..."

Scoffing, he turns away again. "Don't worry about it."

"I have to. You can't replace her, Ryker."

"I don't need your permission, Blue." He reminds me. "My job is to keep you protected, and it may involve hurting you in the process. She's replaceable."

"She's the only constant in my life outside of you and Levi," I whisper.

"Nothing in life is constant. That's a fairytale. You and I both know it. Depending on consistency outside of normal parameters for non-family is dangerous. I am the only constant in your life."

"She's been here through everything: my first kiss, my first date, when I got my period—I can go on and on. Losing her would hurt here," I tap my chest, just over my heart.

He studies me in silence, dark eyes tracing my face and neck. As the weight of his stare increases, I squirm and fight to keep eye contact. His next question sends my heart rate through the roof.

"Is there something going on between you two that I should know about?"

I sputter and lie, closing my eyes as my voice raises an octave. "N-no! Wh-why would you think that?"

"You know better than to lie to me." His voice whips out low and harsh, sending a shiver up my spine. "There's something going on between you and Catrina, and I will find out what it is. Telling me saves us both a lot of time and effort."

"There's nothing, Ryker." I try again. "We're close because I was so young when she came on board."

"That may be the case, but I think you both can benefit from a little separation."

I suck in a breath and sit up, forcing my bones and muscles to cooperate. They rebel, roiling under my skin with numbness. A groan slips out of my mouth, exposing the frustration festering deep inside of me.

"What did you do?"

"I'm hiring another personal guard for you. They'll take over while Catrina investigates the origination and the perpetrator behind the attack."

"And I have no say about it? No opinion? Really?"

"No." He's all Ryker Daniels, the powerful magnate now, and not my father. The savage look in his eyes makes my stomach roll uncomfortably. "Unless you'd like to share what's going on between you and Catrina—and don't say it's strictly professional—because it's not. I've seen the way you look at her and the way your eyes light up when you talk about her."