What?
Ryan shifts to the side, taking Alexei’s hand, then stands.
“Sorry we stole your patricide moment, Baby Cheeks.” Viktor's voice comes from somewhere to the left. “But your father pulled the trigger first. We couldn't let him get a second shot off.”
Alexei growls, glaring at his cousin. “Durak.”
I sit up and take a deep, shaky breath.
It’s over? It’s finally fucking over?
Alexei grabs Ryan's arm. “You're hit.”
There’s a dark stain spreading across the Joan Jett shirt over his right shoulder.
Bile claws up my throat as I shoot to my feet. “How bad is it?”
Alexei grunts, looking over his arm. “No exit wound. Bullet’s still inside.”
Fuck.
Viktor places a hand on my shoulder. “Get him to the hospital. I’ll have my mother call over, keep things under wraps. We’ll take care of this mess.”
I straighten to my full height. “Burn it down. All of it.”
My unhinged friend beams. “The party favors just keep on coming. Be careful, or I might fall in love with you.”
“Back off.” Ryan steps closer to me. “Or this time when you get kicked in the mouth, you’re gonna lose teeth.”
Fuck, I love when my husband goes all grizzly mode.
Alexei grunts, nodding his head toward the door. “Go. We still don’t know who killed your mother, so be careful.”
I nod.
Viktor takes Ryan's left hand and then presses it firmly against his shoulder. “Put pressure on it and don't let up.”
Ryan's jaw tightens, blood seeping between his fingers, but he does what Viktor told him to.
“Let’s go.” We head for the door, but I stop halfway and look over my shoulder. “Thanks. For all this. For helping.”
“You’re family. We protect each other.” Alexei’s eyes narrow. “But you put my Solnyshko in danger again and I’ll put a bullet in your head.”
I huff a laugh before stepping into the hallway with Ryan. “Larry's going to kill me.”
“Probably.” He groans, leaning against me.
I slide my arm around his waist. “I’ve got you.”
And I do. No one's taking him from me. Ever.
Chapter 32
Connor
Ryan's been in surgery too long. Too fucking long. My leg won't stop bouncing, knuckles white from gripping my jeans. Jackson keeps shooting me annoyed looks, but he can fuck right off.
He finally places a hand on my thigh. “Stop. You're driving me insane.”
