Chapter 71

Victoria's POV： I had to admit, if Damien hadn't been there with me, those waiting hours would have been unbearable. Having him beside me, talking quietly as we watched over my grandfather, made everything slightly more tolerable. "Your time must be valuable, Mr. Sterling," I said lightly, trying to mask my gratitude with teasing. "Should I be worried about paying by the minute?" Damien stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with that predatory amusement I was becoming dangerously accustomed to. "That's actually not a bad idea, little wolf. Let's calculate it by the second—though I won't ask for money. I doubt you could afford it." His smoky cedar scent wrapped around me as he leaned closer. "But when I need something, you'll simply owe me that time back." He glanced at his Rolex, the expensive timepiece catching the sterile hospital light. "You're already several hours in debt. Next time I call, you'll have to come running." "You're such a mercenary," I laughed despite myself. "Is that h