Page 57 of The Russian Retribution

“I know.” Faina wraps one arm around Anastasia’s waist, but a roll of pain makes her sag forward, so I dart into her hold to help her.

“I’ve got you,” I say. My heart pounds as my mind races. Is this poison? Something I missed? Something worse?

“No, fuck this,” Viktor snarls. “I’m not having some dramatic womanly moment get in the way of this very important?—”

“Viktor!” I yell, shoving past him as we hurry Anastasia to the door. “This isn’t the time!”

“This is exactly the time!” He grabs my shoulder as Anastasia whimpers in pain once more, and a red fog descends over me as rage blooms up hot and fast. Faina takes Anastasia with her, and together, they stumble out the door as I spin to face Viktor, then I punch him squarely in the face.

He stumbles back with a bark of surprise.

“Enough!” I hiss. “This isn’t working, don’t you see? You’re so blinded that you can’t even see that something is wrong with her. She needs a doctor, and all you fucking care about is your vendetta!”

Viktor grabs my arm, hauling me into him with fire blazing in his eyes. “It’s your vendetta too, Son,” he snarls fiercely. “Or did you forget that while you were falling in love with her?”

“It’s not mine,” I say, ripping myself free. “This is all you. You’re like a father to me, Viktor, and I was eager to help you because you were in pain. But this?” Disgust worms through my chest as all my concern pulls toward Anastasia. “Who even are you anymore?”

24

ANASTASIA

Viktor’s distant words ring in my ears as Faina drags me down the hallway.

The pain is incredible.

Like my period cramps, only ten times worse. The hot pull of tight muscles radiates out from my lower belly, and walking becomes a struggle. Gasping for air, I clutch at Faina’s arm and struggle to see through the tears flooding my eyes.

“Faina—”

“We have to get you to a hospital,” Faina insists.

“No—”

“We do!” Erik is suddenly on my other side with his strong arms around my body to help me walk. “You need a hospital.”

“No!” I gasp, struggling to keep steady. “Not a hospital, I’m not going to a hospital. Out in the open like that? No. I’m not doing it. No.”

Going to a hospital would be bad, because deep down, I’m terrified of what this is. All the stress and the panic, the constant fights and arguments.

Is something happening to my baby?

I don’t want to go to the hospital because then I would know for sure that something is happening to my baby, and if I stay here, then there’s a chance that it’s okay. There’s a chance. I know there is.

“Anastasia—” Faina tries again as we reach my office and tumble inside. “You need to go to the hospital. This isn’t a choice, you know what this could mean?—”

“No!” I snap, sniffling through my tears. “Have the doctor come here.” I catch Faina’s hand as she helps me onto the couch and gaze up at her. “Please. It’s the only way. Please.”

She exchanges a glance with Erik, who shrugs in her direction and moves around me to try and make me comfortable. Then she nods. “Alright. I’ll call the doctor.”

“Thank you.”

“This makes no sense,” Erik mutters. “You’re bleeding and you’re in pain. What’s so important that you can’t go to the hospital?” he asks, moving around to the front of the couch they placed me on. “Did you hurt yourself? Is this some kind of illness or something?”

I briefly look in his eyes, and the moment I do, all I can hear are Viktor’s words.

‘It’s your vendetta too, Son—or did you forget that while you were falling in love with her?’

What did he mean by that?

---