“I can’t—” I looked at the blood, at the head wound, at how pale she was. “Moving her could make it worse. If there’s spinal damage—”
“And staying here while whoever did this comes back is better?” Timur’s voice was harsh but not unkind. “Make a choice, Kirill. Now.”
He was right. We were exposed. Vulnerable. If Sebastian came back, or if this was a Los Zetas setup, we’d be sitting ducks.
Decision made, I slid my arms beneath Barbara as carefully as I could. One under her shoulders, one under her knees, supporting her head against my chest. She was so light. Too light. Like she’d been hollowed out by fear and pain and years of surviving alone.
“I’ve got you,” I murmured, more to myself than to her. More prayer than promise. “I’m not gonna lose you tonight, baby. You hear me? I’m not losing you.”
She didn’t respond. Didn’t move. But that faint pulse against my chest continued its stuttering rhythm, and I held onto that like a lifeline.
We moved as one unit—Timur leading, me carrying Barbara, Andrei covering our rear. Out through the gap in the wall, across the gravel lot to where the Mercedes waited with its engine still running.
I climbed into the back seat, cradling Barbara against me, her blood soaking into my shirt and jacket. Her head lolled against my shoulder, and I could feel how cold she was getting. Shock. Blood loss. Time running out.
“Drive,” Timur commanded, and Andrei didn’t need to be told twice.
We tore out of that lot like demons were chasing us. Maybe they were. Maybe Sebastian was watching from somewhere, seeing his sister—his victim—being rescued. Maybe Los Zetas had eyes on this location. Maybe we were all about to die in a hail of bullets.
I didn’t care.
All I cared about was the woman in my arms and the way her pulse kept getting weaker, kept threatening to fade entirely. All I cared about was the blood that wouldn’t stop flowing, soaking through the makeshift pressure I’d applied with my jacket.
All I cared about was keeping my promise—that I wouldn’t lose her tonight.
“Stay with me, Barbara.” I pressed my lips to her temple, feeling how cold her skin was. “Stay with me. We’re almost there. Just hold on a little longer.”
Andrei was on the phone with dispatch, giving updates in clipped Russian. Timur had twisted in his seat, his weapon ready, watching our six for any sign of pursuit.
And I just held her. Held this broken, bleeding woman who’d called me when she was dying. Who’d chosen me as her last call. Who’d trusted me to come even though I’d given her every reason not to.
“I’m sorry.” The words poured out unchecked. “I’m so fucking sorry for everything. For treating you like you were the problem. For not seeing what Sebastian was doing. For walking away when you needed me to stay.”
Her eyelids fluttered. Just once. Just barely. But enough to give me hope.
“That’s it.” My voice cracked. “Come on, baby. Come back to me. Open your eyes. Fight.”
Sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer. Andrei must’ve arranged for the ambulance to meet us partway. Smart. Every second mattered.
“Kirill.” Timur’s voice cut through my focus. “Whatever happens next—whatever she needs—the Bratva will provide it.”
I met his eyes in the rearview mirror. Saw the understanding there. The recognition that this wasn’t just about helping a client anymore. That somewhere along the way, Barbara Davis had become more than a job.
Had become everything.
“Thank you,” I said, the words inadequate but sincere.
The ambulance appeared ahead, lights flashing, already pulling to the side of the road. Andrei screeched to a halt beside it, and suddenly there were paramedics surrounding us, asking questions I couldn’t fully process, taking Barbara from my arms with practiced efficiency.
I wanted to fight them. Wanted to hold onto her and never let go. But they were her best chance. They had the equipment, the training, the ability to save her that I didn’t possess.
So I let them take her.
Watched them load her onto a stretcher, start an IV, check vitals that made their expressions grim.
“She’s lost a lot of blood,” one of them said. “Possible skull fracture. We need to move. Now.”
They loaded her into the ambulance, and I climbed in after them without asking permission. Without caring if I was allowed. I’d promised I wouldn’t lose her tonight.
