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“Come,” he says.

I look at him and realize he’s not the scary man I met weeks ago. Placing a gentler arm around me, he guides me through the door. We move past the crew and out onto the deck, where a helicopter has landed.

Lev makes his way inside the helicopter with my mother. Roman is already inside. He helps them get onboard.

Aleksandr helps me into the helicopter, and we sit opposite Lev and Mama.

I realize the pilot is a man I recognize, Kieran Devlin. Head of the Irish Mafia. I’ve seen him with my father before. He’s also Lev’s cousin.

I realize I’m surrounded by some of the most powerful—and dangerous—men in this world and I’m probably in the worst trouble ever.

But all I care about is my mother. My eyes are on her as we fly away.

It takes about forty-five minutes to fly to a hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. There, Mama is rushed into the ER.

The doctors have been working on her for over an hour, trying to stabilize her.

Aleksandr has been sitting with me in the waiting room. I haven’t seen Lev since we arrived. He went in with Mama and the doctors to explain what happened.

While I wait, I don’t stop praying. I ignore the erratic beat of my heart to focus on pouring all the strength I have in me to hope that Mama will pull through.

My focus is only broken when I spot the doctor entering the room.

I’m on my feet straightaway, my hands at my heart, praying harder he won’t give me bad news. Aleksandr stands with me.

“She’s going to be okay,” the doctor says with a polite smile.

“Oh my God, thank you.” Tears of joy and relief pour from my eyes, and my knees buckle. I have to grip onto the chair nearby to hold myself up. “Thank you so much.”

The seriousness returns into his face. “You guys got her here just in time. I don’t think she would’ve made it if you were any later. It’s imperative she has her medication at all times.”

I nod vigorously. No one has to tell me how serious the situation is. I know. “I will absolutely make sure she takes her medication. Can I go see her?”

“Yes, for a few minutes.” He places his hands in his pockets. “She’s asleep. She needs plenty of rest. I’d like her to stay with us for a few days so we can observe her, then we can transfer her back to New York for her usual specialist care.”

I nod. “Thank you so much.”

“You are welcome. I would suggest you get some rest, too. Your husband is just taking care of the paperwork. He’s asked that you meet him once you’ve seen your mother. He should be in the private waiting room on the same floor.”

“Okay, sure.” Time to face the consequences of my actions.

Mama first, though.

I’ll see my mother first, then face my husband, who may very well kill me.

“I’ll be out here,” Aleksandr says, stepping backward.

I look at him. “Thank you. For waiting with me.”

He dips his head.

“Follow me.” The doctor motions toward the door and walks ahead. I follow him.

He takes me up to the second floor and leads me to a room at the end of the corridor. I almost fall apart again when I see my mother’s frail body lying in the bed, attached to all sorts of tubes.

The doctor leaves, and I move closer to the bed.

“Oh, Mama, I almost lost you.” I sniffle, wiping my wet cheeks. “I’m so sorry the plan failed. I know you were doing your best for me.”