Page 13 of Between Power and Passion

My gaze shifts to Valentina beside me. She's watching me with those expressive eyes, concern etched across her delicate features. Our eyes lock for a charged moment before I abruptly tear my gaze away.

The car slows as we approach our destination, a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Alexei kills the engine and hurries around to my side to open the door. He loops an arm around my shoulders, steadying me as I fight a wave of dizziness.

Valentina follows close behind, her presence both a comfort and an irritation that I can't afford right now. Gritting my teeth, I focus on putting one foot in front of the other as Alexei guides me inside.

He lowers me on a bed once we get there. Valentina hovers nearby, gnawing her lip. Before I can protest, she moves toward me, reaching out to unbutton my shirt.

I catch her wrist in a vise-like grip. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I growl.

She meets my glare steadily. "If I remember correctly, I was studying to be a doctor. And I graduated with flying colors."

Of course she did. Valentina always was brilliant.

I let go of Valentina's wrist, her skin burning against mine. "Good for you," I sneer, "but I don't need your fucking help."

Alexei steps forward. "Dmitri, let her take a look." He jerks his chin toward my bloodied bandages. "The doctor is still a ways off."

I hold his gaze for a tense moment before giving a curt nod. Valentina doesn't wait for further permission. Her deft fingers make quick work of unwinding the soiled dressings. She sucks in a sharp breath as the wound is revealed, the gash still oozing sluggishly. "Shit..." Her eyes flick up to meet Alexei's. "Do you want him to die of infection?"

Alexei bristles, anger flashing across his features. "The fuck did you just say to me?"

I level a warning glare at him. "Alexei."

He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling a frustrated breath. "Sorry." His gaze drifts back to Valentina, begrudging respect in his eyes. "What do you need?"

"You didn't disinfect the wound properly." Valentina's tone is clipped, all business now. "At this rate, he'll be lucky if he doesn't get sepsis."

Alexei grunts, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. "Right. I'll grab the med kit."

I grit my teeth as Valentina's fingers work to undo the buttons of my shirt. Her touch is featherlight, but it still sends tremors down my spine. As the fabric falls open, she pauses, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes widen at the sight of the scars crisscrossing my torso, mementos from years of violence and hardship. I tense, ready for the questions I know are coming.

"Don't ask," I growl, my voice edged with warning.

Valentina's gaze flicks up to meet mine. "Did my father do this to you, too?" The words tumble out, laced with anguish and disbelief.

A harsh bark of laughter escapes my lips, the sound devoid of humor. "Your father doesn't get all the glory." My jaw tightens as the memories threaten to resurface. "I've lived a long, hard life, and these are just souvenirs."

Valentina's eyes widen further, but she doesn't ask for clarification. Instead, her fingers trace one of the jagged scars with a light touch, sending shivers racing across my skin. I hold my breath, caught in the intensity of the moment.

The air thickens with tension, charged and electric. Her fingers continue their exploration, leaving a blazing trail in their wake. My muscles tense beneath her touch.

A clatter at the door breaks the spell. Alexei strides in, med kit in hand. He pauses, taking in the scene before him. A slow grin spreads across his face as he gives an exaggerated wink. "Sorry to interrupt the lovebirds."

He sets the kit down with a loud clang before retreating, hands raised in mock surrender. "I'll give you two some privacy."

I bite down hard as Valentina cleans the jagged wound, her touch surprisingly gentle despite the sting of disinfectant. She works in silence, her brow furrowed in concentration. Wrapping a fresh bandage around my midsection, she secures it with deft fingers. "We'll need more supplies," her voice is barely above a whisper, "and painkillers."

I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat. Her shoulders are trembling, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She ducks her head, but not before I see the anguish etched across her delicate features.

With a weary sigh, I reach out and gently tilt her chin up to face me. Tears streak down her cheeks, her lower lip trembling.

"Why are you crying?" My tone is curt but lacks its usual bite. "I'm the one injured here."

She doesn't respond, fresh sobs shaking her slender frame. Rolling my eyes, I pull her toward me, ignoring the flare of pain as she settles awkwardly against my chest. I stroke her hair, the silky strands tangling around my calloused fingers.

"I'm not going anywhere, Valentina." My voice is low, meant only for her ears. "It'll take more than this to kill me."

Chapter 7 - Valentina

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