Page 6 of Kings of Cruelty

Silvano goes to Kyran’s side and takes his hand. “We’ve all been worried about her. Surely we can all get a quick update on her health, and then we’ll be out of your hair.”

I don’t have the energy to argue with them, and besides, one of them might be able to explain the medical gibberish to me later when I’m more coherent. “It’s fine,” I manage. “But the pain meds aren’t working.”

It’s excruciating, and it makes the pain from the brand seem like child’s play.

She nods. “I’ll have the nurse bring you the acetaminophen.”

That… does not sound like enough for a gunshot wound, which I’m now certain this is.

“What the fuck?” Kyran asks. “That’s for like… headaches, isn’t it?” He glances at Silvano, like he’s waiting for confirmation, and I hate him for it.

Ugh. Can he do anything without Silvano’s input?

Silvano’s brow furrows. “It certainly isn’t an opioid.”

Konstantin straightens his shoulders. “Is this because of money? We will pay for best… for the best treatment.”

I look from him to Nikolai, whose expression is thunderous, and I feel a pang when I realize Yuri isn’t here.

“Unfortunately, it isn’t safe for the baby,” the doctor says, and even though she continues talking, my world screeches to a halt.

The men all freeze too.

“The… baby?” Nikolai repeats.

The doctor shifts uncomfortably, and she wets her lips with her tongue. “Yes. Stronger medication isn’t safe for the fetus.”

“Fetus?” Kyran asks, incredulous. “Fuck a goddamn fetus. She’s in pain. God, what the fuck even—” His eyes snap to Konstantin. “You. You did this.”

In the blink of an eye, he strides across the room, and before I can even process what thedoctorhad said, let alone anyone else, he balls his hand into a fist and aims it directly at Konstantin’s face.

Konstantin takes the blow, but he snarls and grabs Kyran’s arm. “I did it,” he repeats, smirking at him. “I will do it again.”

The doctor lets out a startled gasp and drops her tablet, but it doesn’t distract the men.

They’re going to get themselves kicked out, and honestly? Right now, I can’t even bring myself to care.

Silvano steps between them and looks at Kyran. “This isn’t the time or place. Sierra’s recovery is the most important thing right now.”

Konstantin startles, but he lets go of Kyran too. “Yes.” He looks to the doctor. “If… if her health is at risk… the fetus is not important. Sierra must recover.”

The doctor has scrambled back toward the door, and even though she looks terrified, she says, “She’ll recover. But you allneed to calm down!” She grabs the door and flings it open, disappearing onto the other side with a shout for security.

Silvano watches her leave and shakes his head. “Wonderful. Good job, Kyran, you’re getting us kicked out.”

“He got my sister pregnant!” Kyran bellows. “He deserves more than a punch in the fucking face!”

My head is aching now more than ever, and I want them all to shut up. But the sharp words I’d normally give get caught in my throat.

Nikolai is the only one who seems to notice, and for once, he’s the one who’s calm and rational. “Stop it. Look at her! She’s…” He studies my expression, then seems to amend what he’d been about to say. “…fucking pissed. You can have a fist fight outside of the hospital.”

“Wonderful idea. Let’s do that later, when Sierra has had time to process and knows how she wants to handle this matter.” Silvano takes Kyran’s wrist and lowers it. Kyran is three times as strong as Silvano, but he doesn’t fight Silvano. “Kyran and I will go get food. Are there any requests? Sierra?”

I look between them, wanting my mother now more than ever.

Ma—and some fucking pain medication, and something to knock me out so I don’t have to think about the fact that I’m fucking pregnant and I don’t even know whose baby it is.

And I don’t want to be alone, but there’s no way the doctor is going to let any of them stay.

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