But I'm alive.
The pain confirms it.
Memories cascade through my mind.
Finding Katerina.
Trying to escape.
A gun pointed at her.
Throwing myself in front of her as he fired.
The impact of the bullet tearing through my chest.
The warmth of my blood leaving my body.
Worth it. I'd take a hundred bullets for her. I just hope she survived.
I force my eyes open. The antiseptic smell hits me, followed by the steady beep of a monitor.
I’m in a clinical room but it’s not a hospital.
It’s an area my father created in the house for times just like this.
When medical treatment is needed, going to a hospital is impossible.
"Katerina." My throat feels scorched. I try to sit up and the room spins, pain detonating across my chest.
"Easy, Luca." Valentina’s hand gently presses my shoulder back down. "She's fine. She's with Enzo."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. She’s been by your side most of the time, but she needs rest and to take care of Enzo.”
Relief floods my body, cutting the intensity of pain. "She wasn't hurt?"
"Not physically." Valentina pours water into a cup and holds it to my lips. The cool liquid is heaven against my parched throat. "Though she's been tormenting herself. She thinks this is her fault."
"I need to see her." It’s not that I don’t believe my sister, but I need to see proof with my own eyes.
"You will." Valentina adjusts my sheet.
I try to push myself up again, but my body betrays me.
White-hot pain radiates from the bullet wound, and I collapse back against the pillows, jaw clenched to keep from crying out.
"Fuck." I hate this weakness, this inability to act.
Valentina shakes her head at me. "Doctor says you nearly died. The bullet missed your heart by centimeters."
I don't care about my heart. All I care about is Katerina. Seeing she’s safe. Needing to comfort her after the horrors she witnessed.
"I need to go to her."
"You need to heal," Valentina counters. "She needs you alive, not bleeding out because you're too stubborn to rest."
“She needs me.” I hate feeling useless. I'm trapped in this broken body while Katerina carries wounds I can't help heal.
