Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Viktor places his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll go after them.”
I sit back down, and leaning my elbows on my knees, I cover my face with my hands.
Mariya’s going to need rehabilitation. Her left leg will take weeks, if not months, to heal, and her hand is practically fucked.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial Marco’s number.
“Any news?” he asks.
“She’s in an induced coma. I need you to find a single-level apartment or house. Make sure it’s wheelchair friendly. Have our belongings moved to the new place and make it happen in the next two weeks.”
“Got it, boss.”
“Also, put every man we have on finding the fucker behind these attacks.”
“Yes, boss.”
“Thanks, Marco,” I say before ending the call.
I straighten my jacket and square my shoulders because I’ll have to be stronger than ever to eradicate the Albanians and help my wife with her recovery.
Come hell or high water, I’ll fucking carry her every step of the way until she’s able to walk on her own again.
Emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Mom brings me coffee that tastes like lukewarm water and cream, but I force it down.
“Want anything to eat, sweetheart?” she asks.
I shake my head, then say, “You don’t have to stay.”
“We’ll wait for Alexei and Bella,” Dad replies.
I glance at Uncle Demitri and Aunt Ariana. They’ve been quiet.
“Thanks for the help, Uncle Demitri.”
He nods, tightening his hold on his wife’s hand.
Uncle Alexei comes into the waiting room and gestures for me to follow him. Once we’re outside, he says, “We’re staying the night with Mariya. The two of us will have to take turns because there’s no way I’m getting my wife away from our daughter.”
“I understand.” We stare at each other for a moment until I shake my head.
“I know, son,” my godfather… damn, my father-in-law says. “We’ll all get through this for Mariya.”
“We will.”
His features strain with heartache. “Christ, Luca.”
Not hesitating, I pull him into a hug. We embrace each other for a long while, then I promise, “I won’t let you down again.”
Pulling apart, Uncle Alexei takes me to the ICU, then says, “Third bed to the right.”
“I’ll try to make it quick.”
“Take your time. I’m going to talk with Viktor and Demitri to get the ball rolling on finding the rest of the fuckers.”
“Okay.” I walk through the doors, and I’m instantly bombarded with the sounds of people on life support. It’s so loud that I wonder how anyone can get sleep in here.
My eyes find Aunt Bella, who’s wiping tears from her cheeks, then I see my wife.
My feet stall from the shock of the tube taped to her cheek. Machines form a halo around the head of her bed, all working to keep her alive.
Christ, baby.
Slowly, I move closer, and I don’t even bother wiping the tear away as it rolls down my face.
Mariya’s right hand is wrapped in a thick bandage, and her left leg is suspended off the bed. She only has a sheet covering her, and there are ice packs on either side of her neck and beneath her arms.
Worried, I ask, “Why are there ice packs? Won’t she get cold?”
“It’s to keep the fever down.” Aunt Bella informs me.
“Oh.” My eyes drift over Mariya, hating that she’s so still and fragile. I lean over her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Moving my mouth to her ear, I whisper, “I’m here, amore mio. You did so well during surgery.” I press another kiss to beneath her ear. “Don’t overthink things while you’re sleeping. Okay? Just rest so you can get better.”
I keep still, taking a deep breath of her, but I only smell antiseptic fluid.
Straightening up, I brush my fingers through her hair.
Seeing her so vulnerable shifts something in my chest until I’m trembling with protectiveness and possessiveness.
I don’t want to let her out of my sight. The urge to sweep her up in my arms and carry her to a place where no one can find us hits hard.
I don’t want to share her.
Christ, I wish I could tuck her safely inside me.
“You really love her,” Aunt Bella whispers.
My eyes dart to my mother-in-law. “I do.”
She nods, then adjusts some of Mariya’s hair with a trembling hand. “Don’t ever let this happen to her again.”
“I promise it won’t.”
She lifts her eyes to mine. “I’ll give you a minute alone.”
I nod. “Thank you.” I turn my attention back to Mariya and softly caress her shoulder.
I lean over her again, savoring the fact that she’s alive. “I’m fucking proud of you. Thank you for fighting so hard.” I kiss her forehead and close my eyes, drinking in the feel of her warm skin. “Just rest, amore mio. I’ll take care of everything from here on out.”
Chapter 26
Luca
The past three days have been absolute torture.
They stopped the medication keeping Mariya in an induced coma, and said she’d wake up when she’s ready.