Page 165 of The Umarova Crime Family

“Med, how are things with you?” It’s my first time speaking with her since our last check-in, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting an update.

“I’m okay. The girls are okay, but Lom was shot. He… he was shot in the chest. I… I think he’s going to be okay, but we just got to some sort of warehouse. His driver called someone who I think is a doctor and should be here soon. I’m so sorry your brother got shot doing this for me, Nazyr. I’m so bloody sorry.”

I hear the emotion in Mona’s voice, and all I want to do is pull her into my arms and comfort her.

“We all knew there were risks when we went into this. How bad is it?” As I ask my question, Eset looks right at me. She knows something is wrong.

“I’m not sure. He said it was a flesh wound, but it seems like it’s worse than that. I’m not a doctor, so I’m not… I’m not really sure.”

“Okay. Lom is going to get the medical attention he needs, so don’t worry. I’m sure everything is fine. When the doctor gets there and tells you what’s going on, can you please call me? Now that you all are safe, I want as many updates as I can get.”

“Yes, I’ll call you as soon as I get more information. It looks like the doctor is coming in now. His driver is speaking with him.”

“Okay. Is my brother still conscious?”

“Yes, but he looks very weak.” Mona’s words cause me to worry, but I know my brother, and he’s too stubborn to die from a gunshot wound.

“Where was he shot?”

“The chest,” Mona comments.

It’s obvious to me she’s nervous as all hell, but I’m glad they got out of Duarte’s estate.

“Okay, let me tell the rest of my family. Please call me as soon as you find anything else out, okay?”

“I will. I love you, Nazyr. Thank you so much for doing this for me, for the girls… I will never forget the kindness you’ve shown me.”

“I love you, Med. I’ve only done what I knew was right in my heart. Come home to me, and call me soon.”

“I will,” Mona says and then hangs up the phone.

I look right at my sister, knowing I need to tell my family about my brother’s condition. I’m hoping and praying that it isn’t too serious because if my brother dies, his death will be on my hands.

Chapter Twenty

Mona

I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous than I have been over the last forty-eight hours. I went from leaving Grozny to entering Spain to crossing the border into Portugal within a few hours. We thankfully rescued my daughters without either of them being harmed in the process, and no one on the Umarova’s payroll was killed. Lom did get shot, but he was able to get surgery once we were outside the city limits.

Experiencing all of this shows me just how connected the Umarova family is and how being with them will keep my girls and me safe. I didn’t see it as much until now. Sure, I’ve known Nazyr was important, that he handled business in the crime world, but I didn’t understand just how broad his family’s reach is.

I do understand it now because I’ve seen it first-hand. I thought, at some point, their family’s connections would run out. For instance, I know they’re a Chechen family, but I didn’t once think that their power could spread across multiple countries the way it does. Some women might find it terrifying, but I’m not like other women. I understand that having someone who’s dangerous in your corner can very well be one of the greatest things.

No one will ever mess with my children or me, not if they know I’m with Nazyr. Knowing that eases so many of my anxieties about being hurt again.

We’re on a plane right now with Inez, Lom, and a couple people from Lom’s security team. Otherwise, the girls are here, too, but they’re passed out next to each other under a blanket on the couch. I’ve always loved watching them sleep. The girls have clung to one another ever since my youngest was born. I’m grateful for it, and I hope they keep their sisterly bond until they’re as old as I am now, plus some.

“I’m sure my brother sounded petrified on the phone when you told him I was shot. Didn’t he?” Lom asks, and I think back to the conversation I had with Nazyr.

“I wouldn’t say petrified, but he was worried, yes.”

Lom ended up receiving medical attention when we were at the building his driver took us to. While he was, in fact, shot in the chest, he was very lucky that the bullet didn’t hit any major arteries or pierce his heart. If either of those things had happened, I don’t know if I could’ve lived with myself. I would’ve been the reason Lom died or was severely injured, and I don’t know if I could have handled it.

“And you’ve updated them that I made it out of surgery okay?” Lom questions me, and he’s smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen him do in the past.

He might have forgotten already, but he’s on some pretty heavy pain medication which I’m sure is messing with him. He seems a bit more bubbly. He isn’t a callous person in general, but let’s just say he’s letting loose a lot more right now.

“Yes, I did. Everyone knows you’re well and you’ve been taken care of. The pilot said we were going to land within the hour. Is anyone from the family going to be at the airport?”

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