I close my eyes and let the memories of the three days I had with Mariya fill my thoughts.
Fuck, I’d give anything to have a fight with her right now because it would mean she didn’t get kidnapped and tortured.
It would mean she’s healthy and not in a fuck-ton of pain.
Christ, I wish I could turn back time.
My thoughts turn to the two gangs. The stupid fuckers have no idea what kind of hell they’ve unleashed on themselves.
Letting out a sigh, I wash my body. My actions are automatic as I go through my routine, my mind constantly jumping between Mariya and the gangs.
Once I’m dressed in a clean suit and I come down the stairs, Viktor points at a plate with grilled cheese sandwiches. “Eat up.”
“I see you also can’t cook for shit,” I taunt him. I take a seat at the island and pull the plate closer.
“Yeah, but I can take you out in seconds,” he mutters as he stares at his phone.
“What are you looking at?”
“Footage of Rosalie destroying her bedroom again.”
“How long do you plan on keeping her locked up?” Viktor knows I’m not happy with him taking the Sicilian girl. When he just shrugs, I ask, “You don’t think she’s suffered enough. We killed her family. Let her go.”
His eyes snap to mine. “And then what? Like you said, we wiped out her family. Rosalie has nowhere to go, Luca. I’m keeping her because I fucking care. I’m not about to throw her out on the street at the age of eighteen with nowhere to go. That would be fucking cruel. With time she’ll realize I’m only trying to help.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen. Put yourself in her shoes. If someone took out your family, would you ever trust a single thing they do for you?”
“I’m done talking about this,” he growls.
We’ve had this conversation before, and it always ends with Viktor shutting it down.
Letting out a sigh, I eat the grilled cheese sandwiches just to fucking please him so I can get back to the hospital.
Viktor tucks his phone away, then locks eyes with me. “I just want to take care of her. Please leave it at that.”
I nod and finish the food. “Let’s go. I need to get back to my wife.”
When we step into the elevator, Viktor glances at me. “I’m glad you married Mariya.”
“Yeah?”
“She will need someone like you to get through this.”
“Someone like me?” I ask.
“Yeah, a man who never backs down from a challenge.”
I smile at my friend. “I don’t consider Mariya challenging.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re the only man alive who would say that,” he chuckles.
“I love her stubbornness.”
When the elevator doors slide open, Viktor pats me on the back. “Like I said, I’m glad she’s got you.”
Chapter 27
Mariya
I let out a groan, the pain in my leg making it feel like the limb is being torn from my body.
My right hand feels crushed.
And breathing hurts like freaking hell.
Jesus.
Slowly I open my eyes, and seeing Luca’s handsome face staring down at me, has me trying to smile through all the pain.
“Hey, beautiful,” he murmurs softly.
I can’t find the energy to move as I whisper, “Hey.”
He brushes his fingers over my cheek, the expression in his eyes something I’ve never seen before.
It’s warm, wrapping me in a bubble of safety. It also makes the tears rush to my eyes.
Leaning down, he presses a tender kiss to my mouth, then locks eyes with me again. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Mariya. Christ, you fought so well.”
Seeing the pride shining in his eyes, my tears come faster.
Luca gently wipes them away, his gaze glued to me as if he’s scared I’ll disappear.
The corner of his mouth twitches. “I have a badass wife.”
I try to smile, but instead, a sob flutters over my lips as I remember what happened.
The car accident.
Ivan and Lev were killed.
The loss hits hard. They were my guards for over a decade.
Luca carefully sits down on the right side of the bed and leans over me, bracing a forearm next to me. He pushes a hand behind my head, and rains kisses down on my face. “Shh, I’ve got you, amore mio.”
Now that I’m safe and don’t have to fight for my life, I turn into an emotional mess, traumatized by what was done to me.
Breathe. You survived it. Breathe.
Flashes of the drill tearing through my skin make my heart rate spike, the machine next to my bed beeping like crazy.
“Shh.” Luca locks eyes with me. “Breathe, baby. You’re safe. I won’t let anyone touch you again.” Worry tightens his features, and he frames my face with his hands, his eyes burning into mine. “I’ve got you. I’m here.”
I focus on getting my breathing under control as a wave of exhaustion washes over me.
“Luca,” I whisper.
He gives me a comforting smile as he caresses the hair by my temple.