I slam my foot down harder, weaving through traffic like the laws of this city do not apply to me, blowing past lights and signs without registering a single one. The only thought in my head is her name. The only picture behind my eyes is what they could have done to her.
She fought for her life tonight. And I was not there.
Blyat!
My grip tightens around the wheel until the leather bites into my palms. Fury boils through me, climbing up my spine in a way that is almost uncontrollable, but beneath it sits something far more dangerous for a man like me.
Fear. Not for myself, but for her.
The realization slams into me with the force of a crash.
I could have lost her today. Lost the one person who slipped through every crack in my armor without even trying. And if she had died, there would be nothing left of me worth saving.
Konstantin taps two fingers against the console, pointing to the phone. A silent order to mute her.
“I am putting you on mute for a second, but I’m still here,” I tell her.
“Okay.” She sounds strong, and I’m glad for it, though that bastard’s death won’t be any better for it.
I press the button, silencing her line.
“What?” I ask my brother.
“Viktor and Leonid are still not answering. They have either been captured or they are dead.”
“They would never let themselves be captured.”
He nods as the truth settles between us. If they aren’t answering, we already know the outcome.
We are all used to death. We’ve seen it with family, friends. It shouldn’t be as easy as it is, but we don’t have much choice other than to move on.
Konstantin glances at me again. “Emilia does not hear about what happened to Fiona. I do not want her upset.”
“She won’t.”
“And Fiona?” Konstantin asks.
“She won’t say a word,” I grit out. “She would never stress her out when she is pregnant.”
My fingers curl tighter around the wheel. Fiona’s voice is still in my ears, trembling when she told me what happened. Konstantin watches me for half a second longer, then nods, and I immediately unmute her.
“Fiona? I’m here.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. Konstantin was worried about Emilia finding out.”
“Well, none of you better tell her anything.”
Konstantin smirks, and I shoot him a look that saystold you so. He tosses his hands up in surrender, but we both know he’s only trying to protect his wife in the same way I’m trying to protect mine.
“Stay with me. Keep talking if you need to. I’m getting closer.”
The SUV surges forward, engine growling beneath my hands as the speedometer climbs, matching the ferocity in my chest. Homes and buildings smear into colorless blurs. Every turn, every stretch of road, is nothing but space between me and her.
When I reach that house, I will tear the truth out of the bastard who touched her. And then I will make damn sure she is never out of my sight again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
