*Eric*

It was early afternoon. Misha had Claire’s attention, telling her some story. I stood off to the side, watching her as she listened intently to him. Ivan walked up beside me. “Everything okay now, Boss?” I knew he was referring to seeing me get angry with Claire earlier.

I sighed. “For now, yes. I agreed to lay off the doctor threats, but I don’t know what else to do if she doesn’t start healing.”

He crossed his sizable arms across his chest, ...