TAKING OVER TROFIM (Dominion of Brothers series Book 4) by Talon P.S., Princess S.O. Page A

the world, because only his brother had Band-Aids made for mending broken hearts. The token gesture worked every time. That and a big damn hug for reassurance.
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    That evening, Trofim showed up at the hospital’s ER. And with the courtesy of one more brother’s help, he waited in room-123. His shirt unbuttoned and the bandage Pyotr had given him taped over the center of his chest.
    Shay walked in, eyes on the clipboard in his hand, “So what seems to be the problem tonight?” The doctor asked in a routine manner, but when Shay’s gaze came up to meet his patient, he took one look at Trofim and immediately turned on his heels to go back out.
    “Wait!” Trofim slid off the examination bed, reaching out for Shay.
    Shay stopped at the door, but didn’t turn to face him.
    “I’m sick.”
    Shay spun, “Why? What’s wrong?” Sudden alarm for concern, obviously voiding out his anguish.
    “I’m sick from living without you.” Trofim almost whimpered the confession.
    The pain of being rejected just days ago flashed back into Shay’s expression as quickly as it’d gone. “I’m not interested in a pity fuck.”
    Trofim’s fingers tightened around Shay’s arm. “I’m serious.”
    Shay closed the door and leaned back against it. He shrugged away from Trofim’s grip, folding his arms across his chest like a barrier, warning Trofim he had precious few minutes to get his point across.
    Trofim’s gaze stalled on the golden tan of Shay’s arms viewable where he’d pushed his white coat sleeve up. Powerful muscles corded around them, and Trofim’s body shivered, remembering how they felt coiled around him. “Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. You may not like it, but at least you were able to stay in school, and finish your medical degree.”
    Shay shifted, a ripple of impatience flashed over his face, “You didn’t leave to save my ass from getting kicked out of school.”
    Trofim took an intercepting step, “You’re right, I didn’t.” His eyes floated up to meet with Shay’s. Trofim never told him how severe Shay’s father came down on him. About the fire or the threats Senator Wilks made towards him and his brothers: Pyotr and Pavle. Telling Shay about them now would still not serve either of them well. “But, I got tired of being away. Away from my family and away from you.”
    “As I understand it, you came back almost a year ago.”
    Trofim nodded. “I just needed some time. I thought maybe just being home would be enough to give me the strength to stay away.” Trofim swallowed so he could keep going, “That day at the masters, when I saw you walking up—” he shrugged, “I panicked. And then I saw the article in the paper announcing the engagement. I couldn’t believe it and I was so angry with you. I felt betrayed.”
    Shay rolled his eyes and pushed off, grabbing the door handle, “I don't have time for this.”
    “Wait! I’m not through.” Trofim insisted.
    Shay turned and glared at him not letting go of his annoyance, but even that didn’t hide the deeper pain in his crystal grey eyes.
    “You act like I have no right to feel confused by all this! You say you want me to be with you, but you’re engaged. How is that supposed to make me feel?”
    “I didn’t ask her to marry me!” Shay protested.
    “But, you are engaged!” Trofim was going to come undone any moment. He felt so much, but with the engagement hovering overhead, it doomed any future.
    “So says my father. Not me!” The words that came out of Shay’s mouth tainted with bitter tones.
    “Your father has control on your life.” Trofim interjected.
    “Not for much longer. I told you this.”
    “But, would you go through with it if you had to?” This wasn’t really the road Trofim had planned to travel, but he couldn’t shake the pain the arrangement caused him.
    “Of course not! I only have four months left on my internship, and then it won’t