Slowly, he nods. There’s a tense silence between us as we wait for news. Nina and Susanna stay at my side. I doubt there will ever be peace between me and Dimitri but for now, we can put our differences aside.
It takes hours to hear news but finally we’re told that Katya is alive. She suffered a gunshot to her lower body but she will be ok.
“Is she paralyzed?” Dimitri asks.
The doctor frowns. “We’re waiting for her to wake up to find out.”
With those ominous words, the doctor walks away. Dimitri and I glare at each other.
“We both want to go in to see her,” I say. “But since you’re her brother, I’ll stay back. Even though I am her husband.”
Dimitri scoffs as he heads into Katya’s room.
“You have more of a right to see her than he does,” Nina says. “You’re her husband.”
“I can’t risk your safety again. And I can’t risk Katya’s. I’ll wait out here until she wakes up.” Then I have to hope that everything will be ok, even though I have no idea how it will be.
Katya
I don’t feel any pain when I wake up. The sight of my brother smiling down at me brings me comfort.
“You’re alive,” Dimitri says, cupping my face. “You’re ok. Can you move your toes?”
I wiggle them and relief crosses Dimitri’s face. “What is it?” I ask.
“You were shot. It doesn’t seem to be that you’re paralyzed.”
“I was…” That’s right. I was running between Dimitri and Alek when I got shot. “Did you…”
“Yes,” he whispers, sinking into the chair beside me. “I shot you. I am so fucking sorry, Katya. It was my job to protect you and I failed.” Tears fall from his eyes. I have never seen my brother cry before.
“And Alek?”
“He fired too. You’re not safe with him. This proves it.”
“You also shot me. It doesn’t seem that either of you are safe for me.”
He nods in agreement, wiping his tears away.
I cup his cheek. “Dimitri, end this war.”
“No.”
“Dimitri.” I harden my tone as much as possible. “I want to be with Alek. But today, you caused so many problems when you kidnapped Nina and Susanna. Of course Alek retaliated. And of course you’re upset that he kidnapped me in the first place. I don’t blame either of you for that. This is a messed up, confusing situation. But what I do know is that I could have died today and I don’t want to lose you or Alek. Make peace with him. I… I love him. I know that. You saved me from my past and I will always be grateful but Alek can give me my future. The one I’ve always wanted. You know if you continue to fight him, I will just get hurt. Sofiya could get hurt. For the sake of mine and Sofiya’s safety, end this war.”
He stares into my eyes for a long moment before he nods. “All right. I’ll stop fighting Alek but I am not making a deal with him.”
That means there’s always a chance for another war to begin.
“Dimitri…”
“I just can’t, Katya. But I can promise to not fight him for the time being. At least until you’re healed.”
“I am going to stay with him.”
“Katya –,”
I hold my hand up, cutting him off. “I am. I am an adult now, Dimitri. I can make my own choices. You can’t legally make me stay with you. I want to be with Alek, so accept it. Before I get shot again.”
