I kneel beside the man who an hour ago was smiling, the only one who made my chest feel less heavy.
His complexion takes on a worrying pallor, and I have to swallow the lump in my throat. I will not cry in front of his associates. I won't give them reasons to doubt him.
"Roxy," I hear Uncle Henry's voice.
Without taking my eyes off my husband, I respond, "Go with Luna, please. I'll call you later." My voice breaks at the end.
Damn it.
I lift Damien’s head and rest it in my lap, forcing my voice to stay steady. When I press my hands over his wound, a groan of pain escapes him, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from crying out myself.
I swear they'll bleed for what they did to you. I swear.
Chapter 31
Roxy
"The good news is the bullet went straight through and missed the liver, but he's lost a lot of blood." The doctor's voice cuts through the fog in my head as I approach him.
"If you'd moved faster, maybe he wouldn't have lost so much." The words come out harsh, my voice unrecognizable even to me.
Sweat beads across his forehead, but my gaze drifts to Damien, bandaged and motionless in bed.
"Leave us," Vasili's command fills the room as he gestures for the doctor to go.
After rattling off instructions, the doctor exits and I feel my temples throb.
"Do we know who did this?" I ask Vasili.
He moves to the window, staring out for several seconds before answering.
"Marzena Kaminski. Damien's mother."
He must read the confusion on my face because he continues.
"She's Damien's competition for control of the organization. I don't know how the hell nobody spotted the shooter, but she's getting too bold. One day, his luck's going to run out."
My chest tightens at the thought of losing him, so I clear my throat.
"Did we get anything from the guy who shot him?"
"No. He hasn't said a word."
"Good. Show me where he is."
Vasili's stare burns into me, so I square my shoulders.
"He's my husband, Vasili. For the next six months, at least. And as infuriating as he is, I care about him. So the bastard who tried to kill him is about to learn what happens when I roll up my sleeves."
I wish I could photograph Vasili's expression right now, pure shock combined with amusement. I know in my bones that if the roles were reversed, Damien would've already torn the guy apart and made ribbons from what remained.
“You know, when he first told me he wanted to marry you, I tried to talk him out of it. But now I get what he saw in you. You’re loyal, Roxy, and that’s something I can respect. Still, I’m sure this connection with you will bleed him dry. I just hope he’s got enough left in him to walk away when all this madness it’s over.”
I stare at the bandaged man hooked up to an IV and twist the ring on my finger. Vasili's right. I'm so selfish that in my desire to get that bastard that ruined my life, I've dragged someone who only brought light into my life into my mess.
What if next time he gets hurt, there isn’t a doctor around? What if that psychopath comes for him? What if I signed his death warrant with that marriage certificate?
One problem at a time, Roxy.
