Page 191 of Porcelain Lies

“Aaaah!Vaffanculo!” He continues screaming, holding the bloody remains of his hand.

I silence him by driving my fist into his sternum with everything I have. The impact cracks through the room, and air explodes from his lungs. He doubles over, and I bring my knee up to meet his face with a satisfying crunch. Blood sprays from his shattered nose as he collapses to the floor, spitting red painted mucus.

Sasha has Sofia pinned against the wall before she can flee, her arm twisted behind her back at a painful angle. She spits and curses in Russian, fighting like a wildcat, but Sasha’s grip is unbreakable.

I grab Gianni by his throat, slamming him against the concrete floor. His eyes bulge as I press my forearm across his windpipe, cutting off his air.

“You should have stayed away from what’s mine,” I growl, pressing harder. His face turns purple, veins bulging as he claws weakly at my arm.

“Aleksei!” Stella’s voice cuts through my rage.

I turn my head to see her standing a few feet away, arms wrapped protectively around her belly, eyes wide but steady.

My instincts scream at me to act — to break Gianni’s neck and get to her now, but I’m interrupted.

A buzz.

Then, another.

The vibration of my phone in my pocket is followed by insistent ringing. It cuts through the air like a blade, shattering the taste of my victory. It’s Dr. Malhotra’s ringtone.

Fuck.

If he’s calling me now…

I freeze, indecision paralyzing me. Why is he calling me now? If this is about Bobik…

The room has gone silent, only my phone continues ringing. I stand there with my forearm pressed against Gianni’s neck, caught in a cruel limbo — the weight of Bobik’s operation in one hand and this situation in the other. But the buzzing of my phone is impossible to ignore.

Malhotra should still be in surgery. If he’s calling now, it’s because… there’s a problem.

Blyad!

I can feel it as the color drains from my face. Ripping myself back a step, I snatch the phone from my pocket, my eyes never leaving Stella. The look in her eyes speaks of contempt, something I don’t understand, but I can’t ask her now.

“Watch them,” I tell Sasha, jerking my head at Gianni and Sofia. He already has his weapon trained on Gianni, who’s whimpering over his ruined hand. Sofia looks like a cornered snake.

“Speak,” I hiss into the receiver as I step out of the doorway.

“Aleksei,” Dr. Malhotra’s voice comes through. There’s an edge of tension to it that I don’t fucking like. “There’s a problem.”

My lungs seize.

No.

Please, God, no!

“What is it?” I ask, dread already unfurling.

The doctor pauses, his voice shaking slightly. “I’m afraid there’s been a complication during the surgery. Your son… I’m sorry, Aleksei. Bobik is in critical condition.”

The words crash over me like ice water. My throat constricts and my skin feels like it’s turning to ice beneath a cold sheen of sweat. “What do you mean, critical?” My voice rises, sharp and agitated.

The doctor sighs, clearly struggling to find the right words. “The procedure… it didn’t go as planned. We’ve done everything we can, but his condition has deteriorated. You need to comeback to the hospital immediately. It might…” He hesitates, the next words coming out quieter, almost a whisper. “This might be your last chance to see him alive.”

A roaring sound fills my ears as my body fights to process what I’ve just heard. I can barely think.

“No!” I hear myself saying.“I dideverything! Do you hear me? I made sure every precaution was taken, spent every damn cent I could to ensure this wouldn’t happen!” My voice cracks.

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