Page 97 of Her Silver Fox Mountain Men

“Well I don’t care. You’re pregnant with my grandchildren. No matter what you decide to do next, I will never stop doing right by you, whether you like it or not,” he retorts. “Now, let’s get you to the hospital and make sure you’re okay.”

Despite my lingering pain, it feels nice to know that Lev is still there for me. I know that he is truly grieving over what Igor did. Kara, too, and Michael. The disappointment he must be feeling after having worshipped Igor for so long must be huge. I still feel guilt over what I had to do in order to survive—running away from everyone, including my little brother. I spent a year alone and scared but then again, the universe led me to this place.

To James, Oliver, and Roman.

Other than a spikein my blood pressure due to obvious reasons, I get a clean bill of health at the hospital along with an order for lots of rest and relaxation for the next couple of weeks.

“You’ll need to follow up with your OB/GYN within a couple of weeks to get a regular checkup schedule going,” the doctor tells me.

I’ve been pumped with fluids and vitamins aplenty, and the adrenaline from earlier is finally wearing off. Clarity has returned, and with it a sea of calm and hope for the first time inover a year.

“Oliver and Roman are downstairs giving their official statements to the sheriff,” James tells me. “I should join them soon.”

“You can go now, baby. I’ll be fine on my own,” I tell him.

“There are deputies posted outside your room but call me if you need anything.”

“What for?” I ask, briefly tested by fear. “Igor was caught. Three of his men are dead. The others won’t even think about coming after me, not with Lev determined to clean up the Bratva and settle the score with every traitor in its midst.”

“For our peace of mind,” James replies.

The doctor gives us both a slight nod and steps out. We immediately kiss and hug, James’s embrace enough to soothe my injured soul. To think I might’ve not lived to feel this way again is unfathomable.

“It will please you to know that everyone who played a part in Igor’s scheme will be held accountable,” James says.

“Who else besides Igor and his men?”

“Shauna Selznick.”

“Shauna?” I pause, my mind briefly going back to the flower deliveries. “All she did was refuse to divulge her client’s name.”

James nods slowly. “And it put you in grave danger. I don’t think anything she did is a chargeable offense, but deputies are interviewing her at the station while others are at the flower shop, going through her files. She knew from the moment you asked about the first bouquet that you were worried, yet she keptgoing, if only to torment you. Instead of going to the authorities and being a decent human being—”

“She kept taking Igor’s flower orders.” I sigh deeply. “Yeah, I suppose it is only fair that she be held accountable. You’re right.”

“If nothing else it will teach her a painful, bitter lesson. I reckon she’ll keep her distance from you, and from us, going forward.”

He kisses me tenderly again, a reassurance of justice and confidence, of love and protection.

“I was scared out of my mind,” he says. “Don’t you ever pull a stunt like that again.”

“I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. But you do understand why I did it, right? Why I had to do it?”

“Yes, but I don’t have to like it. The risk was too much, Elise.”

“In hindsight, I guess I could’ve—”

“For fuck’s sake, enough with the apology bullshit,” Kara’s voice cuts through the room, startling both James and me.

She sits in the doorway in a wheelchair, looking drained and pale, but there’s still a sparkle in her eyes.

“Kara!” I exclaim, attempting to jump out of bed to hug her but James lovingly holds me back, a light laugh escaping his lips.

“Let’s not forget she was shot. Give her a little space,” he says.

“And some quiet,” Kara mutters. “All this moaning about who did what… enough already. It’s tedious.”

“I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your spunk,” I shoot back, giggling.

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