Page 57 of Bound By Longing

“If he dies, the guilt will kill me, I think. I’m responsible for him being hurt. Dimitri wanted me because I rejected him.”

“Dimitri?” Mikhail walks over to me. “What about Dimitri?”

“He played a role in the kidnapping. Along with Lev and Vladimir.”

Mikhail growls low in his throat. “I trusted Dimitri. I never thought he’d do something like that. I thought he would make a good choice for you.”

“You didn’t know,” I say. “None of us knew.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He could be anywhere now. He didn’t get seriously hurt. All three of those men are still out there, looking for me. Wanting to hurt me. I’m not safe.”

“And you think you’re safe with Damien?” he asks.

“He’s the only one who’s truly protected me. That has to mean something.” I’m just not sure he’ll marry me. That would be the ultimate protection, and he’s denying me it.

“Mikhail?” Sofiya asks. “What are you thinking?”

He sighs deeply, running a hand down his face. “I’ve hated Damien for so long because of what his father did. I’m not sure I can just make a peace pact with him.”

“For Mila, then.”

He stares into the eyes of his wife. If anyone can get through to Mikhail, it’s Sofiya.

Before he can answer her, the doctor comes out. “So, I got the bullet out. Fortunately, it didn’t hit anything vital. I had to do a blood transfusion, but for now, he’s alive. These next few hours will be crucial, though, to see if he’ll survive.”

“Can I see him?” I ask.

“He’s asleep, but yes.”

I don’t hesitate to run into the operation room. Damien is on a cot, a bandage wrapped around his chest. An IV is in his arm, and he has an oxygen tube around his nose.

He looks so small lying there. Nothing like the man who saved me.

But Damien was strong for me when he saved my life. I can be strong for him, too. I sit down beside him and take his head.

And I don’t leave that spot. He’ll either wake up or die, but either way, I’m not leaving his side.

SOFIYA

“What are you going to do, Mikhail?” I ask when it’s just us in the waiting room. “About Damien?”

“I would’ve just let him die.”

“I know. But Mila cares for him. You have to think about her.”

He smiles slightly and runs his hands up and down my arms. “I’m thinking of you and what you want. You want your sister to be happy. I just don’t know how to put aside my pain and anger.”

“You don’t have to, but don’t blame Damien for it any longer. If he survives, there’s a good chance he’ll be in Mila’s life, which means he’ll be in our lives. You need to direct your anger to Ivan, who killed your son. Stop blaming Damien.”

He’s quiet for a long time, and I think he won’t answer, but then he speaks. “I’ll try. It’s the best I can promise right now.”

I sigh and rest my head on his chest. “All right.” My hands cup my pregnant belly. I just hope everything will be better for my child when he or she is born.

MILA

My eyes are closed when I hear him speak.

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