"Ugh..." Kholod grunted.
I looked up—
Blood. Pouring from his back, staining his white shirt red.
He'd been shot.
"Kholod!" I screamed.
Kholod staggered but stubbornly stayed standing, using his body as a shield between Lorenzo and me.
"You... you still won't let her go?" Lorenzo held the smoking gun, voice shaking.
"No." Kholod's voice was weak but steady. "Lorenzo, kill me if you want. But you'll never take her. And you sure as hell won't hurt her."
"Kholod..." Tears streamed down my face.
He turned back to me and smiled.
That smile—weak but tender.
"Don't be scared..." he said. "I won't let anyone hurt you... including myself..."
Before he finished speaking, his body swayed and crashed to the floor.
"Kholod!"
I rushed to him, dropping to my knees.
Blood kept pouring from the wound, soaking the carpet.
"Kholod! Kholod!" I pressed my hands to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "Don't die! You're not allowed to die!"
"Noelle..." he whispered weakly. "Is Leo... is he okay..."
"He's fine!" I sobbed. "Don't talk! I'm calling an ambulance..."
"Noelle..." He gripped my hand. "Sorry... didn't mean to scare you..."
"Shut up!" I yelled. "Kholod Morozov, I forbid you to die! You hear me!"
He smiled—satisfied and peaceful.
"Noelle..." His voice grew fainter. "I love you..."
"I know! I know!" Tears fell on his face. "Kholod, hold on..."
I turned toward Lorenzo. He stood there dazed, the gun fallen from his hands while his men started to advance.
"I... I killed him..." Lorenzo mumbled, walking toward me, even trying to take my hand. "I killed him... Noelle... come with me..."
"Get away!" I dodged his touch, voice fierce. "Lorenzo Conti, get out! Now!"
"Noelle..."
"GET OUT!"
He stumbled backward as Nick arrived with backup to restrain him. His accomplices were captured too.
