Page 116 of The Bratva King

I scrub the blood off my hands, out from under my fingernails, and off my arms. The debris embedded in my forearm stings when the water hits it. I’ll need to clean that out properly. Make sure there’s nothing left in there.

When I finally turn off the water and step out, I catch sight of myself in the mirror. A bruise is forming on my shoulder where I hit the ground. Another one on my ribs. My forearm looks like someone took a cheese grater to it.

I dry off and wrap a towel around my waist. I need to call the hospital and check on Pasha.

Pasha has to be okay. I refuse to believe otherwise.

27

Gabby

I pull into the garage feeling lighter than I have in a long time. I didn’t get the chance to talk to Nik about the therapy. I think he’ll be interested. It feels good to have someone to talk to about these things who actually cares.

Luke should be in bed. Kylie texted and said she would stick around until I got home. I assumed it was because Nik was working late.

Kylie is in the kitchen. I take one look at her and know something is wrong. “Is Luke okay?” I ask.

“Yes. He’s in bed. I put him down about twenty minutes ago.”

“Did he have a rough day?”

She smiles. “No. Not at all. We swam for a bit. In the shallow end, but he had fun.”

I nod, but I can tell something is off. “Okay. Thank you.”

“He’s excited about getting his new room tomorrow,” she says.

“Yes, he is.”

I head upstairs and slip quietly into the room Luke and I are sharing until tomorrow.

I sit on the edge of the bed and lean down to kiss him goodnight.

“Mom, Mila is here,” Luke whispers.

I blink. “Mila? Pasha’s daughter?”

“Yes. She’s in another room.”

That’s odd. I wasn’t expecting a playdate today. Maybe Nikolai arranged it as a surprise.

“Oh. A sleepover.”

“Nik got hurt.”

I freeze. “What?”

“He has lots of owwies. And blood.”

“Nikolai had blood on him?”

Luke nods. “He’s okay. I put a band-aid on him.”

I swallow. “Good job, buddy.”

I kiss his forehead. “Go to sleep. I’ll be in later.”

I start downstairs, expecting to find Nik in his study having his usual nightcap, but the light beneath his bedroom door catches my attention.