I tackled Anna to the ground, covering her completely with my body. Almost instantly, searing pain exploded through my left shoulder—the bullet tore through my back, shattering my shoulder blade before exiting through my chest.
Pain like molten metal made my vision blur immediately. I could hear Anna's terrified scream, feel warm blood streaming from the wound, soaking my clothes and dripping onto her. But I gritted my teeth, only allowing a grunt, refusing to collapse.
With my right hand, I raised my gun, aimed, and fired—one fluid motion.
A hole appeared in the kidnapper's forehead. His eyes widened in shock before he crumpled.
"Alexander!" Anna saw the blood cascading down my back and screamed in panic. "You're shot! You—"
"Shh." I pressed my hand gently over her mouth, voice weak but steady. "I'm okay."
But blood was flowing too fast. I could feel strength draining from my body. My vision grew hazier, the gunfire seeming to fade into the distance.
"Pakhan!" Ivan rushed over, his face going ashen at the sight of my wounds. "Medic! Now!"
"Marcus..." I managed to rasp. "Did we get him?"
"Over there." Ivan gestured toward the corner where several of my men restrained a disheveled middle-aged man—Marcus Warren. His face was contorted with terror, all his earlier arrogance evaporated.
"Good." I forced a smile, then looked down at the panicked Anna in my arms. "Don't cry... I promised to bring you home..."
"Don't talk!" Anna's tears fell like scattered pearls. She pressed her hands desperately against my shoulder wound, tryingto stem the bleeding, but blood continued seeping between her fingers. "Where's the medic? Hurry! Save him!"
Her hands shook violently, her face painted with tears and blood. I wanted to wipe away her tears, but my arm felt impossibly heavy.
The medic quickly cut away my shirt, exposing the devastating chest wound. The bullet had entered from behind, pulverized my shoulder blade, and torn through to exit my chest—a gruesome sight. They worked frantically to control the bleeding and apply pressure bandages while establishing an IV line.
The anesthetic needle found my vein. Pain began to recede, but so did my consciousness. I could feel my heartbeat weakening, my breathing becoming labored.
Using my remaining strength, I pulled Anna tighter against me.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered against her ear. "For letting you get hurt... for putting you through this..."
"No, it was my fault," Anna sobbed, tears splashing onto my face. "I was wrong about you, about Tatyana... I shouldn't have left the manor, shouldn't have doubted you... If not for me, you wouldn't be hurt, you wouldn't—"
"Shh, stop." I managed to kiss her cheek, tasting the salt of her tears. "You did nothing wrong... I failed to protect you... I let you down..."
"Alexander, please, don't close your eyes." Anna's voice shook with terror. "Look at me, keep looking at me. Sofia's still waiting for you—she's still running a fever, she needs you. I need you too... please, don't leave us..."
Sofia. My little princess. Still burning with fever, waiting with Yekaterina for mommy to return home.
I'd promised to bring her mother back. I couldn't break that promise.
I couldn't die.
That thought forced me to cling to consciousness. I gritted my teeth, summoning every ounce of willpower to keep my eyes open, focused on Anna's tear-streaked face.
"I won't die," my voice barely above a whisper. "I still need to marryyou... then we'll watch Sofia grow up together... see her start school... see her wedding day..."
"Yes, you have to stay with us." Anna gripped my hand fiercely, pressing it against her cheek. "So you have to hold on, you have to survive. We need you. I love you—I really love you..."
"Alexander, helicopter's five minutes out." Ivan's voice carried an unusual tremor. "Hold on, we're getting you to the hospital."
I nodded weakly, then looked toward the bound Marcus. He knelt trembling, his pants soiled with fear.
"Ivan," I said with great effort. "Send him to meet the right people... let him understand... what happens when you touch my woman..."
"Understood." Ivan's eyes flashed with cold fury. "I'll handle it personally."
