Page 82 of The Russian's Bought Bride

Something cold and vicious cracks my chest open, realizing that every fear I’ve ever had surrounding her has come true at once.

No.No.

Shoving the blanket off myself instantly, I swing my legs over the edge of the stretcher, and pain flares so hard my vision whites out again just long enough for me to grip the cold metal while it passes.

“We have people looking,” Roman says firmly, reaching over to steady me. “Ruslan thinks he has a lead on one of Malenkov’s temporary locations.”

“That’s where she is.”

“We don’t know that yet.”

“She’s there,” I utter, completely sure of it. Every instinct in my body screams it.

Malenkov didn’t orchestrate a hit like this for inventory or territory. It was personal this time. It’s about Dani and me, that much I know.

And I let it happen. I let them get close enough to touch her despite how often I promised her they would never get the chance.

The realization twists and aches inside my chest. I should’ve seen it coming sooner.

I should’ve moved her somewhere safer and doubled security. I never should’ve underestimated how desperate Malenkov would become once cornered. Instead, Danielle is gone because I made the mistake of thinking I still had time.

“Nikolai,” Mikhail says carefully, ending his call and stepping closer. His brows furrow as he watches me attempt to move. “You’re concussed.”

“I don’t give a fuck.”

Roman takes a breath and turns back to me. “You can barely stand. You need to take it easy.”

“I don’t care if I’m dying. I’m going,” I snap, hating every moment that I’m looked at like something fragile. Their attention should be on Danielle, not me.

“You’ll slow us down like this.”

The words nearly make me swing at him, but any sudden movement makes my head spin all over again.

Roman must see it in my face because his own expression hardens immediately, putting on his usual authority. “I need youthinking clearly, not charging in half-conscious because you’re emotional.”

Emotional.

The word almost makes me laugh, as if there’s anything left inside me right now besides rage and panic held together by sheer willpower alone.

I stand anyway, and the medic beside me immediately protests.

“Sir, you need to sit back down—”

“No.”

The single word comes out venomous enough that he wisely backs off, not saying another word to me.

My knees nearly buckle the second my boots hit pavement, and dizziness punches into me hard, but I force myself upright through it.

Slowing down now isn’t an option. I can fall apart later when I know Dani is safe.

“I’m going.”

Roman exhales sharply through his nose, well aware that there’s no stopping me at this point. He finally mutters, “Fine. But if you pass out during this, I’m dragging your ass back myself.”

“Noted.”

Mikhail steps forward, voice calmer than the rest. “Ruslan said he tracked movement near an old casino warehouse just south of the strip. The place changed hands twice through shell companies in the last month, and it’s a likely match with their other activity.”