Page 30 of Between Power and Passion

I can't find the words to respond, the trauma of what just happened rendering me mute. Gunshots still ring in my ears, and the metallic stench of blood overwhelms my senses.

Dmitri's brow furrows, his eyes searching my face urgently. "Valentina? Say something, please," he pleads, cupping my cheek.

Slowly, I force a nod, the simple motion seeming to take every ounce of my effort. It's not enough for him.

"I need to hear you say it," he insists, the usual intensity in his gaze tempered by fear for me.

Summoning my voice feels like an immense struggle, but I manage a hoarse whisper. "Yes... I'm okay."

I look up at Dmitri's urging, my gaze landing on Alexei standing across the room, gun still raised from where he fired the fatal shot. Relief washes over me as I realize he saved me from that monster's clutches.

"Run to him. He'll get you out of here," Dmitri says, his voice strained but insistent.

I shake my head vehemently, clinging to him tighter. "No, I'm not leaving you."

Dmitri's jaw clenches, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. "Go with Alexei. I'll be fine, but I need you safe."

"No!" I cry out, burying my face against his chest as tears prick my eyes. I can't leave him, not after everything we've been through. The thought of being separated again is unbearable.

Before I can protest further, strong arms encircle me, prying me away from Dmitri's embrace. I thrash wildly as Alexei lifts me off the ground, carrying me away despite my struggles.

"Let me go!" I scream, pounding my fists against his broad chest. "Dmitri!"

Alexei doesn't falter, keeping a firm grip as he makes his way toward the exit. I catch one last glimpse of Dmitri's anguished expression before we're out the door.

Alexei deposits me unceremoniously into the backseat of a waiting car. I scramble to get out, but he leans across me, fastening the seatbelt tightly.

"Dmitri can only focus when you're not there," he says, his tone brooking no argument. "Do you understand?"

I want to protest, to scream and rage against this separation, but Alexei's unwavering gaze reminds me of how dire our situation is. Reluctantly, I give a small nod.

Seeming satisfied, Alexei slams the door shut and rounds the car to the driver's side. The engine roars to life, and we peel off, leaving Dmitri and the carnage behind.

I try not to look at myself in the mirror, but the sight of blood draining out of the rag and swirling into the sink makes my stomach churn. The last thing I need is to empty what little is left in it. My hands tremble slightly as I wring out the rag, taking deep breaths through my nose to steady myself before finally glancing up.

My skin is the palest I've ever seen it. I look at my still-flat stomach and rub it gently, trying to offer some comfort to the baby growing inside me. One side of my face is still smeared with blood, and my left ear rings constantly, making me wince. A bruise darkens my right temple where the man had dug the gun into my skin. As I watch the last remnants of blood wash from my hair, I wait until the water runs clear before turning off the faucet. Reaching for a towel, I dry my hair, feeling a strange sense of numbness.

The front doors burst open, startling me out of my thoughts. Relief floods through me as I hear Dmitri's voice calling out urgently.

"Where is she?" he demands.

I rush out of the bathroom, nearly slipping on a small puddle of water. "I'm right here," I call out, coming to a halt as soon as I see him.

Dmitri stands in the doorway, his eyes scanning me from afar. He doesn't blink, his gaze intense and unwavering. For a moment, we simply stare at each other, both assessing the damage—both visible and invisible—that this ordeal has inflicted on us.

His eyes soften slightly when he sees I'm unharmed beyond a few bruises and cuts. He strides over to me, his movements controlled but filled with urgency. "Valentina," he breathes, reaching out to cup my face gently with his hands.

I lean into his touch, feeling tears slip down my cheeks despite my efforts to hold them back. "I'm okay," I whisper, though it feels like I'm trying to convince myself more than him.

Dmitri's thumb brushes away the tears before they can fall any further. "You shouldn't have been involved in this," he says softly, regret lacing his voice.

"But I am," I reply, placing my hand over his on my cheek. "And so are you." My voice wavers slightly.

He nods slowly, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pain and determination. "I won't let anything happen to you," he promises.

For a moment, we just stand there in silence, holding on to each other like lifelines in this stormy sea we've found ourselves in. Despite everything that's happened—everything that will happen—I think we may get out of this.

Chapter 14 – Dmitri

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