Infinity Read Online Free PDF Page B

it."
    Tears glistened in her eyes. "You saved my baby?"
    Kyrian nodded.
    She sobbed even harder.
    Nick felt like total crap. It was a good thing his dad wasn't here. He'd cut his throat for upsetting her like this. "Don't cry, Mom. I'm so sorry I got shot. I should have done what you said and gone home. . I'm just so sorry."
    She wiped at her cheeks where her makeup was now streaked by the tears. "You didn't do nothing wrong, baby. You're a hero. A wonderful hero and I couldn't be prouder of you."
    Nick winced at the lie. He wasn't a hero. I'm a hoodlum... just like my scum-sucking father.
    He met Kyrian's gaze and something in his eyes made him think that Kyrian might actually know the truth. If he did, he didn't bust him for it, which only made Nick feel all the worse.
    His mother drew a ragged breath. "The doctor told me you'd have to stay here for a few days, maybe a week or more. I don't know how we're going to afford--"
    "Don't worry about it. I'm taking care of the bill."
    She narrowed her eyes at Kyrian. "I can't let you do that."
    "It's all right. Least I can do for him. There aren't many kids his age who'd take a bullet to keep a stranger safe."
    Still, she looked doubtful.
    Kyrian offered her a kind, tight-lipped smile. "I have the money, Mrs. Gautier." Wow, unlike Peters, he didn't sneer her name. He actually said it like he respected her. "And no one to spend it on. Trust me. You're not taking a dime from me or my family that'll be missed."
    She bit her lip. "That's mighty kind of you. Especially after everything you've already done getting him here and all." She took Nick's uninjured hand into hers and squeezed it. "I can't thank you enough for saving my baby, Mr. Hunter. Nicky's all I got in this world. I'd die if anything ever happened to him."
    Something dark flitted through Kyrian's eyes that reminded Nick of a ghost tormenting him. Some past pain that his mother's words conjured up.
    Kyrian pulled out his wallet and opened it. "This is my number." He gave his mother a small business card. "If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call me. Any time, day or night. I don't sleep much so don't worry about disturbing me."
    She tried to give it back, but Kyrian wouldn't allow it.
    "Look," he said firmly. "I know you don't know me or trust me at all. I don't blame you. But there are people in the world who can give without asking for anything back. I'm one of them."
    She shook her head. "And I know how much stuff like this costs. I can't take that kind of money from you or anyone else. Ever."
    Kyrian's dark brown gaze went to Nick. "Then let him work it off."
    Nick sputtered indignantly. "Excuse me?" They ignored him.
    "Don't be ridiculous," his mom said. "It'd take him forever to earn this kind of money back."
    Uh, yeah ... Last thing Nick wanted was to be indentured over a doctor bill.
    Kyrian returned his wallet to his pocket. "Then what do you want to do? Have the hospital turn him out into the street before he's fully healed? Wounds like that, he could get gangrene and lose a limb or die."
    Hopeless despair glistened in her blue eyes and the sight kicked Nick straight in the gut.
    "Mrs. Gautier ..." A tic worked in Kyrian's jaw. "I know you can't tell it by looking at me, but I've had a hard life. I've lost everyone who was ever important to me and I know what it's like to be kicked hard when you're down. You've got a great kid there. He deserves a chance. Let him work for me, part time, after school for a year, and we'll call it even."
    She glanced at Nick, who wasn't so sold on this idea. "Doing what?"
    "Washing my car. Running errands."
    His mom scowled. "What kind of errands?"
    "Yeah," Nick interjected, "I ain't no babysitter or dog walker."
    Kyrian rolled his eyes. "I don't have kids or a dog." He returned his gaze to Nick's mom. "He'd pick up groceries.
    Some dry cleaning. He can work with my groundskeeper trimming hedges or help my housekeeper clean the outside windows. Nothing dangerous or