Page 95 of Savage Truce

“Is everything okay?” he asks as he jogs closer.

“Yes. Arrange for a group of men to come to the hospital. We’re taking Andrei home, and I want him heavily guarded. Nothing can go wrong.”

“On it. I’ll let you know when they’re here,” he replies while pulling out his phone to make the calls.

When I step back into the private room, Dr. Kravets says, “A nurse will take care of Mr. Dragun during the night, while I check on him three times during the day. Will that be okay?”

“No,” Andrei grumbles from the bed. “No nurse. Only Anastasia.”

I gesture at Anastasia as she flies to her feet and hurries to Andrei’s side.

“I would appreciate it a lot if you could show my wife how to take care of Andrei. He’s not the easiest patient, but he listens to her.”

Worry flashes across the doctor’s face. “She isn’t trained. At least for the next week, let a nurse see to his wounds.”

“I will fucking shoot whatever nurse comes close to me,” my friend threatens, being impossible.

“Dr. Kravets,” Anastasia says with a firm tone. “You’ll take care of cleaning his wounds when you check on him during the day. Surely, I can watch over him at night?”

The doctor relents and nods, and I begin to wonder if my wife has some magical power I’m not aware of.

“I should make you the pakhan,” I tell her. “No one fucking listens to me.”

Andrei begins to chuckle, but instantly stops, and when pain tightens the lines by his right eye, Anastasia brushes her hand over his hair and fusses like a mother hen.

Iisus Khristos, my best friend can be glad I love him. It’s going to be a long couple of weeks.

CHAPTER 29

Anastasia

When I’m sure Rodian is asleep, I sneak out of bed and grab my thick sweater. As I shrug it on, I shove my feet into my slippers before tiptoeing out of the bedroom.

I walk to the room beside ours, and softly nudge the door open before slipping inside.

With the bedside lamp on, I can see beads of sweat forming on Andrei’s forehead. I hurry closer, and picking up the bowl, I go pour the old water out and fill it again before carrying it back to the table beside the bed. Rinsing the facecloth, I squeeze out the excess water, and carefully pat over his forehead.

God, I worry about him.

Having lost one and a half fingers, the bullet and stab wounds, and all the cuts to his face, I’m not sure he’ll ever fully recover.

The doctors said he might recover up to five percent of his vision in his left eye, but they don’t have much hope.

His good eye opens, and noticing his iris is almost black from the pain he’s in, I check the time. “It’s still another two hours until you can get painkillers. What hurts?”

“Left eye and migraine.”

I sit down on the side of the bed and gently begin to massage his left temple while humming a soft tune.

My gaze drifts over the bandages on his face, and I wish I could magically heal him.

Andrei stares at me for a little bit before asking, “Why are you so good to me?”

I don’t hesitate to answer, “We’re family.” The corner of my mouth lifts. “And we share someone very special. Rodian. You’re like a brother to him, so I guess that makes us in-laws.” My expression grows somber, then I add, “And when they attacked, you made sure I was safe, not even thinking about yourself.” My voice cracks as gratefulness fills my heart. “Very few people have put me first, so what you did means everything to me.”

“Just did my job,” he whispers.

“I suppose. How’s the pain now?”