Page 74 of Obsession of the Bratva

That was good.

“Is her body in shock?” I asked.

“Partially.” He nodded. “Combined with blood loss and stress.”

Stress. That earned a bitter laugh from somewhere deep inside me. Stress. What a fucking understatement. She had been caught in a crossfire of two mafia families with explosions ringing all around us. Of course she was stressed. The doctor continued speaking about bandages, observation, and medication, but none of it registered fully. Because all I cared about was one thing.

She was alive.

Alive.

The word repeated through my head.

Alive.

Alive.

Alive.

I didn’t realize how tightly I’d been holding myself together until that moment, because suddenly it felt like I could finally breathe again.

The next several hours disappeared into practical necessities while the doctors continued to work on Vera and monitor her. The house had to be secure, and the damage assessed. Dead attackers were identified and security protocols reviewed. I moved through it all automatically, the way I always did with all my emotions locked away. The Romanov empire couldn’t stop because I was worried, so I handled what needed handling. All of Petrov’s dead soldiers were sent back because it was against the Romanov tradition to humiliate the dead.

“All is done, Nico,” Viktor said, walking towards me.

Jarek arrived before I could reply, and Kliment came shortly after. Both of them surveyed the damage in grim silence.

“They did not know the layout,” Kliment said. “The attack looks very sudden and random.”

I nodded. “They bombed anything and everything and simply kept coming forward.”

“They followed you back here?” Jarek asked, walking around the living room.

“Most likely.”

“We spotted Adrian Petrov, but Manny Stavros was completely absent from the scene,” Viktor added.

“That does not mean Manny wasn’t involved. He is rather cunning and could have very easily orchestrated it but only left Adrian to take the fall,” Kliment replied, sinking into a sofa.

“Vera?” Jarek asked, his gaze sympathetic.

“The doctors are with her.”

“We will leave you to it,” Kliment sighed, standing up. His hand slapped my back lightly. “I know you are worried, but she will be alright.”

I nodded. She had to be alright. There was no other choice. My brothers left shortly after, and I helped my men put the house in order again. We had enough arms, and the damage, despite looking like a lot, was easy to contain. It was nearly dawn when I finally returned to Vera. The house had grown quiet. Most of the damage was already being repaired.

The dead were gone. The wounded were treated. The chaos contained. Only the aftermath remained.

I entered the bedroom and noticed the medical equipment, which hummed softly. A nurse checked her vitals, then immediately stood up when she saw me.

“Mr. Romanov.”

“You can leave.”

She nodded and exited without argument. The door closed behind her, and silence settled around us. I looked at Vera. She hadn’t moved. The bandage wrapped around her arm looked stark against her skin. It was too white, and she looked too fragile. I pulled a chair closer and then sat down. For a long time, I simply watched her breathe, each breath feeling like a victory.

I thought about the moment she’d told me she didn’t want to leave. The honesty in her voice. The certainty. There had been no hesitation whatsoever. Just truth. The memory lingered, refusing to disappear, and beneath it sat another realization. One I’d been avoiding. One I didn’t want.