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Everything in me rebelled at the thought of releasing Vanna.
Liam put a hand on my arm, squeezing lightly. “Brother, you have to lay her on the stretcher. The hospital is her best chance.”
My body fought me when I put her down, my muscles bulging, my hands tightening before finally releasing her. I kissed her head, praying with everything I had that this wasn't the last time I’d see her.
They rushed her inside, and I followed, my brothers flanking me.
They held me back when I made a move to go behind a door the stretcher disappeared through. Jude put his arm around me, pulling me into a side hug. “Let them do their job.”
“I need to see her. Make sure they’re taking care of her.”
“They know who we are. They’ll do everything they can to make sure she’ll be okay.”
Liam guided me to a plastic chair and pushed on my shoulder. My legs collapsed, and I landed in the chair with a thud. My body doubled over, my hands fisting in my hair, my unfocused gaze on the floor. “I can’t lose her.”
“I know. And you won’t,” Liam said, his voice unwavering.
A tear dripped onto my leg and with a start, I realized I was crying. I hadn’t cried since I was a child.
Jude dropped into the chair next to me. “Everyone’s on their way. And Mom is bringing a change of clothes for you.”
I lifted my head and stared at the closed double doors Vanna had disappeared behind, willing them to open. But they stayed shut, and every minute that passed without a word from the doctor made the cold fingers wrapped around my heart tighten a little more.
20
VANNA
My limbs felt heavy,and my tongue was swollen, making it hard to swallow. The last thing I remembered was Adrik’s fist flying at my face. Then blissful blackness greeted me.
But now I was warm and comfortable. And instead of the cold stone floor I’d landed on before I’d passed out, I seemed to be in a bed. That didn’t mean good things were in my future. Aleksándr would only keep me alive if he had something else planned for me.
Afraid to open my eyes, I listened for voices. A machine beeped, and a heavy weight was on my hip. Light snoring sounded next to me, and my body locked up tight. I held my breath, afraid to make too much noise and wake up whoever was asleep this close.
I stayed motionless until my legs cramped up and I grew light-headed from only taking shallow inhales. When I couldn’t take the uncertainty anymore, I opened my eyes, blinking into unfamiliar surroundings.
It was dark, only the lights from the monitors casting a faint glow throughout the room. I turned my head toward the snoring, and I immediately recognized the dark glossy hair of my husband. His head was resting on my hip, which explained the pressure.
A tilt of my head confirmed the beeping coming from a monitor. There was a needle in my arm with a drip attached.
The door opened, and I sank farther into the bed, trying to make myself as small as possible. A guy with a white coat and a clipboard entered, and I relaxed at the sight of the doctor. His attention was on the pages in front of him, and he hummed under his breath.
When he looked up, his eyes locked with mine and he stilled, his professional mask slipping as his mouth dropped open. “You’re awake.”
He rushed up to my bedside, checking the monitors. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Olysses?”
“Thirsty. Tired.”
He handed me a cup filled with ice chips. “This should help.” He pulled his stethoscope from around his neck. “Do you mind if I check you over?”
Pushing the ice cube into my cheek, I nodded. “Go for it.”
Gabriel never moved, not when the doctor prodded and poked me and not when he turned the light on.
“Okay, now I need to listen to your back. Can you lean forward for me?”
I cringed at the request but complied. He was a doctor, after all. And I had bandages on my back. Someone must have put them on. I didn’t think I had any new wounds since I could lie down on it.
He gently prodded parts of my back, noting the areas that were sore. “I’m sorry you have to lie on your back, but the stab wound on your stomach is too fresh to put pressure on yet.”
