Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
He shakes his head. “Sorry, I can’t. I have strict orders not to leave your side.”
I glare weakly at him. “I’m not being examined with you in the room.”
“Then I’ll stand behind the curtain,” he says, completely unbothered. “But I’m not leaving.”
“You’re unbelievable,” I mutter.
“I’ve been called worse,” he says, smirking as he moves to the corner.
The doctor watches our interaction warily but goes about her work, checking my vitals and inspecting the bruises on my arm and shoulder. She keeps her voice gentle and professional, but I can tell she’s seen worse. When I tell her I’m pregnant, she smiles knowingly.
“They baby’s okay,” I whisper. “Right?”
“We’ll have the ultrasound tech come in and check,” she says, her voice sympathetic.
The tears come before I can stop them. I press my hand against my stomach, still flat but now so fragile it feels sacred.
The doctor squeezes my shoulder. “No matter what happens, you’re alive, Mari. And that’s worth a lot.”
A few minutes later, the tech comes in and runs the ultrasound. She easily finds the heartbeat and tells me the baby looks great. It’s strong and completely unbothered by any of the stress my body went through tonight.
Yuri awkwardly holds up his phone, asking a question with his eyes.
“Since Lev isn’t here,” he says, “and your phone is God knows where.”
I nod and let him take a photo of the ultrasound, relief washing through me as I look at my baby.
When the tech leaves, I look over at Yuri and laugh weakly.
“Lev’s going to be jealous that you were here and he wasn’t,” I tell him.
Yuri smirks in response, just as the door opens again. I don’t need to look to know it’s him. I feel him before I see him, like a magnetic pull. When I do meet his eyes, I start crying again, so relieved that he’s alive and that he’s finally, finally here with me.
He’s changed clothes, I notice. He’s wearing dark slacks now, a simple black shirt. His hair is damp, like he just showered. I’m struck again by what happened.
Yuri stands. “I’ll go check with the nurse.”
“Yuri,” Lev says, voice low but steady.
“She’s fine,” Yuri answers, already heading for the door. “Don’t shoot anyone.”
Lev waits until the door closes before crossing to me. He moves more slowly than usual, like he’s trying to hold himself together. I reach out and take his hand. It’s warm. His fingers curl around mine instantly, and that’s when I see the small cuts on his knuckles. He notices me looking and hides his hand behind his back, but it’s too late. I know what he’s done.
“Are you hurt?” he asks quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I’m fine,” I answer honestly. I’m in some pain, sure, but I don’t want him going after the hospital staff.
His brow furrows. “What did the doctor say?”
“She said the same thing I’m saying,” I tell him gently. “I’m fine, Lev. We’re fine.”
His hand goes to my stomach without hesitation. His touch is cautious, reverent.
“The baby?”
“Perfect,” I whisper. “Yuri has a photo.”
His jaw tightens. “Yuri saw my child before I did?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t start,” I warn. “He said he didn’t want to be shot in the leg for leaving me. We really need to talk about your anger issues.”
His mouth twitches, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he bends and kisses my forehead.
“I love you,” he murmurs. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“I know,” I whisper. “I was scared, too. I really didn’t think I’d be here now. I was sure tonight was it for me.”
He exhales like he’s been holding his breath for days. Then he stands and walks around to the other side of the bed, sliding in carefully. I move over to make room for him. He stretches out beside me and pulls me against his chest. I feel his heartbeat against my cheek, strong and steady. His arm comes around me, heavy and safe.
For a long time, neither of us speaks. The machines hum softly. The world outside fades away. All I can think about is how warm he is, how alive I feel just being near him. When he finally speaks, his voice is rough.
“I thought I lost you,” he says into my hair.
“I’m right here,” I promise him.
He presses his lips to my hair. “You have no idea how worried I’ve been all day. I’ve never felt so out of control.”
“You can’t go around shooting people,” I tell him.
He looks down at me, eyes soft but unrepentant.
“You were missing. I’d set the world on fire if it meant getting you back.”
I don’t argue with him. There’s something incredibly humbling about being loved like that. I snuggle deeper into his chest.
“I’m glad he’s dead,” I admit quietly.
Lev doesn’t answer. He just holds me tighter. I know what happened in those woods. I know what he did. I also know he’d do it again if he had to. There’s blood on both our hands, one way or another, and neither of us will ever be clean again. But at least we’ll be unclean together.