"Well, shit. Maksim's going to have his hands full."
"If he survives," I whisper.
"He will. This is just another day for him."
The doors finally open. A doctor emerges, pulling off bloody gloves.
I'm on my feet before I realize I'm moving. "How is he?"
"Stable," the doctor says, and I nearly collapse with relief. "The bullet went clean through, no major arteries hit. He lost a lot of blood, which is why he passed out. We've given him a transfusion and stitched him up."
"Can I see him?"
"He's sedated right now. We want him to rest." The doctor's expression is kind. "But yes, you can see him. Just for a few minutes."
I follow the doctor into a recovery area with several beds separated by curtains. Maksim is in the far corner, hooked up to monitors and IVs.
He looks pale against the white sheets. Vulnerable in a way I'm not used to seeing.
I pull a chair close to the bed and take his hand.
"You're an idiot," I tell him quietly. "A stubborn, reckless idiot."
His fingers twitch slightly in mine.
"But you saved my father. He didn’t deserve a single ounce of your blood but you did it anyway. You did it for me.”
"You have to be here for us." Tears spill down my cheeks. "So no more heroics, okay? No more throwing yourself in front of bullets. We need you."
The monitors beep steadily. His chest rises and falls with each breath.
A nurse appears at my elbow. "I'm sorry, but you need to let him rest. You can come back in a few hours."
I don't want to leave. But I know she's right.
I lean down, pressing my lips to Maksim's forehead. "I love you," I whisper.
Then I force myself to walk away and leave him in the hands of people who can help him more than I can right now.
Anya and Semyon are waiting for me.
"He's okay," I say. "Stable. Sedated. They want him to rest."
"Good." Semyon stands. “I need to check on some things. Do you want to go to the safehouse?”
“No,” I answer without hesitation. “I need to be here.”
He nods. “I’ve got men stationed outside. You’ll be safe.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Anya says.
“Tell him I’ll be back,” Semyon says.
I stop him from leaving. “Semyon?”
“Yeah?”
“If you find Roman, please kill him. I don’t want justice. I want him dead.”
