Page 88 of Dangerous Devotion

“And Zotov realized something was up and ordered them to evacuate,” Hawk said.

I looked up at Vince, my heart aching at the pain etched across his face.

He nodded, his brows pulled down and together, pain clearly visible in his eyes.

I cupped his cheek to draw his attention and waited until he looked at me. “You should go find Isa and Mira. I’ll be fine with Hawk and the others.”

The look in his eyes changed as if he snapped back into focus, the storm of emotions swirling in their depths replaced by determination.

For a moment, I thought he might consider it, but then his jaw clenched, and he shook his head firmly.

“No,” he said, his voice low and final. “I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off.

“We’re going to the hospital,” he announced, addressing the group but keeping his eyes locked on mine. “You need to get checked out. No arguments.”

I wanted to tell him I was fine, that his sisters were more important, but the determination in his gaze silenced me.

Vince turned to Hawk, his voice commanding. “Once we’re at the hospital, I’ll contact Zotov. We need to find out what game he’s playing and what he wants with Isabella.”

Hawk nodded, his expression grim. “We’ll send one team with you. The rest should stay here to search the scene andsee if we can pick up any information. We’ll take care of the chopper, and I’ll make a few calls. See if I can hunt him down.”

Hawk nodded at me. “Keep us updated.”

Vince nodded, and moved toward one of the waiting SUVs, still cradling me carefully in his arms.

Hawk, Birdie, Milli, and Max watched us go, their faces a mixture of concern and determination.

As we reached the vehicle, Vince paused for a moment and looked down at me with an intensity that took my breath away. “I love you,” he said softly, his words meant only for me.

I gave him a soft smile. “I love you, too.”

“I’m going to fix this.”

I nodded. “I know. They went to great lengths not to hurt us, so I’m sure Mira and Iset are unharmed.”

His jaw tightened as he awkwardly moved into the back of the SUV, carefully balancing me in his arms.

“You can let go,” I said, but he immediately shook his head.

“I’m not letting you go ever again.”

And he kept that promise all the way, even when we arrived at the hospital and the nurses tried to shoo him away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Isat by Jemma’s hospital bed, her hand firmly in mine. Ever since we’d arrived, I’d refused to let go, which earned me more than one annoyed side-eye from the nurses.

Not that I cared. Whatever happened to her from here on out. I would know, be there, and decide whatever there was to decide, together with her.

A nurse approached, her voice hesitant. “Mr. Salvini, perhaps you’d like to step out while we?—”

“No,” I cut her off, my tone brooking no argument. “I’m staying right here.”

Jemma squeezed my hand and smiled. “It’s okay. I want him here,” she said to the nurse, who narrowed her eyes, annoyed AF, before she looked down at the screen of the device in her hand, probably to hide the rolling of her eyes.

I tensed.

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