Page 121 of Beautiful Agony

I won't let him hurt our daughter.

Larina keeps kicking inside me, her movements becoming more frantic with each blow sending tremors down my body. My world starts blacking out around me. It's only a matter of time before Kirsan breaks a bone, and then, there'll be nothing to stop him.

Tears stream down my face as I silently beg her forgiveness.

I'm so sorry, my sweet girl. Mama couldn't save you. I'm so sorry...

"Kirsan."

The weak voice cuts through my haze of pain. The final vicious kick that I'd been bracing for never comes.

Through tear-blurred vision, I see Kirsan turn away from me. My heart leaps at the sight of Vadim standing at the end of the hall, his white shirt soaked in blood.

His gun is raised, but his hand trembles slightly.

"Step away from my wife." Vadim's voice is hoarse but carries the unmistakable authority of a pakhan.

Blood drips steadily from Vadim's shirt onto the floor, forming a growing crimson pool at his feet. His face is deathly pale, but his eyes burn with an intensity I've never seen before.

The gun doesn't waver.

Kirsan doesn't move. His shadow still looms over me.

"And just what, Vadim Petr?—"

The crack of the gunshot claps like thunder in the confined space. Kirsan's body jerks violently. For a heartbeat that feels like eternity, he remains standing. Then he crumples to the ground beside me, his dead eyes still open and staring.

I stare at Vadim in wonder. My husband. My protector. Even with a knife wound in his gut, he still came for me. He saved me.

Every part of my body screams in agony as I push myself up onto my hands and knees. Each movement sends fresh waves of pain through my bruised flesh, but I force myself to stand. To walk towards him.

His eyes meet mine, filled with such love and relief that my heart aches. Then suddenly, horribly, they roll back in his head. The gun clatters to the floor and his knees buckle.

"No!" The scream tears from my throat as Vadim collapses. His body goes completely still.

I rush to him, ignoring the stabbing pain in my ribs. My hands shake as I cradle his head in my lap. His skin feels clammy and cold beneath my fingers.

"Vadim, please," I beg, my tears falling onto his deathly pale face. "Wake up. You promised me forever, remember? You promised we'd raise Larina together."

But he doesn't respond. His skin grows colder with each passing second. The crimson stain on his shirt spreads wider, soaking into my dress where I hold him.

"Please don't leave me," I whisper, pressing desperate kisses to his face. "Don't leave us alone. We need you.Ineed you."

My fingers clutch at his blood-soaked shirt as sobs wrack my body. "You promised me, Vadyusha. You promised we'd have a life together. Please... please wake up."

But he remains still and silent in my arms, growing colder by the moment.

"Please," I beg again, my voice breaking. "Don't leave me alone in this world."

38

LACEY

The fluorescent lightsin the ER burn my eyes as the doctor shines a penlight in them. Everything hurts. Each breath sends daggers through my ribs. My jaw throbs with every word I try to form.

"Multiple microfractures in both arms," the doctor says, gently probing my shoulder. I wince. "Similar breaks in your shoulder blade and mandible. You're very lucky."

I try to shake my head but even that small movement makes me dizzy. "My baby," I manage to whisper through clenched teeth. "Please... is my baby okay?"

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