He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180

[Daisy’s POV)

The moment Archer stepped into the room, every bit of relief I had been feeling immediately developed a problem.

A very specific problem.

A tall, blond, concerned-looking problem standing a few feet away from an equally tall, dark-haired, intimidating problem who already didn’t like him.

My gaze shifted from DeLuca to Archer and then back to DeLuca again, and with every second that passed, I became increasingly aware of how trapped I currently was. Under normal circumstances, if these two decided to reenact their previous confrontation, I could at least attempt to intervene before things escalated.

Right now, however, I was attached to enough medical equipment to qualify as hospital property!

The realization did absolutely nothing to improve my mood.

And what made it worse was the fact that DeLuca had noticed Archer again.

I saw it happen.

The warmth that had briefly settled into his expression tightened slightly as his gaze moved toward the doorway. It wasn’t dramatic. Most people probably wouldn’t have noticed it. Unfortunately, I had spent enough time around DeLuca to recognize even the smallest shifts in his mood, and the look he gave Archer was not particularly encouraging.

Oh no.

Please no.

I had already been shot.

That should have been enough calamity for one week.

Possibly one year.

For a brief moment, I genuinely thought I was about to witness another disaster unfold directly beside my hospital bed. Instead, something happened that completely shattered every expectation I had.

DeLuca looked away.

Just… looked away.

The tension I had been bracing myself for never arrived. He didn’t challenge Archer. He didn’t make a comment. He didn’t even acknowledge his presence beyond that brief glance. Instead, he turned his attention back to me and started walking toward the bed.

I watched him approach with growing confusion.

My brain immediately began constructing possible explanations.

Maybe he wanted to ask how I was feeling.

Maybe he wanted to continue the conversation interrupted by Archer’s arrival.

Maybe he wanted to-

The rest of the thought disappeared entirely… because BeLuca sat beside me, leaned forward, and wrapped his arms around ine

For several seconds, my brain simply stopped functioning.

Not slowed down.

Not struggled.

Stopped.

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