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He glares at me, mortified. “Never.”
Despite his smile, I see his exhaustion. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’d gone to hell and back.
While the nurse goes about her business, Viktor’s loving eyes remain locked on me.
God, am I grateful everyone is safe and alive. I had doubts when I first saw the blood soaking through my dressing gown.
The nurse sounds surprised, “Everything looks good. Are you feeling any pain?”
“A little,” I shrug, happy to lie if it gets me back to my children sooner rather than later.
The nurse buys my act. “Great. I’ll bring you something to eat and something for the pain.”
“Thank you,” I praise the nurse as she leaves. Viktor joins me by the bed only seconds later. “I need to see my kids,” I plead before he reaches me. “Facetime isn’t enough. I need to hold them.”
“I’ll bring them here.” Oliver offers from the foot of the bed. “I’m so happy you’re finally awake.” He squeezes my legs. “I’ll be back. Viktor, call me if you need anything.”
“I want a dozen men with you,” Victor orders before Oliver is halfway to the door.
“Nothing less,” he says, exiting.
Oliver is barely out the door before Victor demands, “Tell me what happened. What did Fiona want?”
I shiver while recalling everything that happened after Fiona revealed herself. “She wanted to take Aisling with her. She appeared surprised to see me. She pointed a gun at me and told me if I didn’t give her Aisling, she’d kill us both. She didn’t care what happened to Aisling, Viktor.” I gasp with horror at the memory before peering at him. Then I remember what else she said and swallow rapidly.
“What is it?” There’s worry on his face.
“Right before I was shot, Fiona told me Aisling isn’t your daughter.” I place my hand on top of his. “That she used her pregnancy to get you.”
He scoffs at my claims with a grunt. “It doesn’t surprise me. The woman was capable of anything. But Aisling is my daughter,” he retorts matter-of-factly.
His reply makes my heart squeeze. Is it possible to love someone as much as I do him? Just when I think I know him, he reveals another layer of himself. Only a real man would make such a claim.
“Aisling isourdaughter,” I correct.
Smiling, he nods. “Agreed.”
We stare at each other in silence, knowing a parent isn’t just someone you share DNA with. A parent is someone who loves you unconditionally and will protect you above everything.
That is who Viktor and I are to Aisling.
“I can’t believe she shot me,” I break the silence.
My eyes bulge when Viktor mumbles, “She didn’t, at least not with her gun.”
“Who then?” I ask, shocked and confused. The last thing I remember is Fiona’s gun pointed at me.
“We don’t knowyet.” He emphasizes the last word.
“What does that mean, exactly?”
Anger churns in my stomach when he replies, “Let me worry about it.”
“I don’t want you doing anything. I can’t lose you.”
That softens some of the worry lines on his face. “And I can’t lose you. So, how about you relax and focus on getting better?”
“My name is Nurse Peyton. Ready for food?” The nurse, smiling, walks to my bed, balancing a tray on her palms. “I have some delicious lime Jell-O that tastes like steak.” When she notices how close Viktor is standing at my bedside, she winks, then adds, “Did you know your husband hasn’t left your side since they brought you in?”
