Page 76 of Scorch

I watch as she works, my heart still pounding with worry. Nikita lies still, her eyes closing in exhaustion but her breathing steady. The wound, hidden by her thick coat, is minor compared to what it could have been. But the uncertainty, the not knowing, gnaws at me.

“We’ll take her to the vet,” I say firmly. “Make sure there’s nothing we’ve missed.”

Vera frowns. “Agreed. I’m trained in medical science, specifically for trauma response,” she tells me. “I don’t know much about veterinary care, but I’ll do my best to stabilize her. We need to get her to a veterinary hospital immediately.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll call,” Lydia says. “Aria will be able to get us an emergency vet sooner than anyone else could.” She’s reluctant to leave Nikita’s side. I suspect she feels somehow responsible for this. She isn’t, though. I know she isn’t.

A moment later, Lydia looks up. “I’ve got a vet’s name,” she says. “It’s thirty minutes out.”

She looks at me, her eyes wide. “Do you think this is part of the plan, Viktor? Hurt Nikita so we have to take her to the vet, then chase us?”

I nod. “I do. Or put us off guard. Shake us.”

She gets to her feet, her eyes alight with fire. “No fucking way are we being shaken. No way!”

I can’t help myself. I reach for her, wrap my hand around the back of her neck, and kiss her hard. Vera blinks, watching us with wide eyes.

Aleks stands with his hands on his hips. “I’m on it,” he says. “We’ll go together.”

It takes longer than I’d like, but all of my brothers come in force. Three armored cars line up outside. We move as one. Vera sits with Lydia in the backseat of the car I drive, Nikita between them. She lazily licks Vera’s hand, and Vera bends and kisses her.

“Elevate her head,” Vera says. “Just like that. You’re doing great, Lydia.”

Lydia sniffles, wiping at her cheeks. In the rearview mirror, I see Vera take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. “You’re doing great,” she says again, her voice firm, and it hits me that she’s not just talking about this incident.

“Feels like we’re VIPs,” Lydia says with a sad smile. “Like someone’s coming to bring the president to the airport.”

“As it should be, of course,” Vera says with a smile. “Nikita’s invaluable. We need her here with us.”

She leans down and kisses the top of Nikita’s head. Nikita’s eyes close, and my heart thunders in my chest. “Vera,” I say, panic in my voice.

“She’s okay, Viktor. She’s tired.”

“I’ll get your car cleaned,” I tell Aleks.

“I don’t fucking care about the car,” he says. “I’ve got that all under control. You worry about her.” I don’t ask him which her he’s referring to. They are both my world.

We finally get to the emergency vet. When we enter, there are only two other people in the waiting room: a little girl with a sick kitten on her lap and an older woman with a greyhound that looks like it has a broken leg. The staff runs to greet us.

“This way, Mr. Romanov,” one of them says, ushering me, Vera, Lydia, and Nikita into a nearby room. My brothers take over the waiting room.

Vera takes charge. “My name is Vera Romanova. Medical-trained doctor”

“I know who you are,” the vet says, extending her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Dr. Romanova.”

There’s pride in Lydia’s eyes as she smiles.

“We suspect a gunshot but have been unable to find an entry point.”

The vet nods as if this were just another day, people bringing in dogs with gunshot wounds. “I see.” She takes Nikita’s vitals. “Her breathing is shallow. I’m going to put her to sleep, Mr. Romanov,” she says.

Panic must show in my eyes because she quickly shakes her head, and Lydia squeezes my hand.

“Temporarily. I’m so sorry; I should have clarified. I’ll give her something to rest and to alleviate the pain.”

I swallow and nod as she slides a needle under Nikita’s skin, and Nikita’s breathing slows. I stare, unblinking, my heart pounding when Lydia’s hand slips into mine with gentle reassurance.

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