Page 42 of Demetri
Glory
Everything happens in slow motion. From the moment I heard the first gunshot until now. Every single one of Vadim's men are dead. The man knows it's over for him. I had a gut-churning feeling something horrible was about to happen. Vadim is a man with nothing to lose. He has only one card left to play, and that's me. I know the exact moment it's all over. I see it in the way Demetri's eyes widen and the look of horror that dances across his face. With his gun raised, Demetri fires off several shots the same moment Vadim shoves me, and I'm sent free-falling backward over the side of the boat.
A scream escapes my lungs just before I hit the water below. My body becomes encased in wet darkness. I struggle against the ties bound around my wrists, knowing it's no use. I kick my feet and muster all the strength I have to fight my way to the surface, but my attempts to save myself get me nowhere. My lungs begin to burn from lack of oxygen, and the uncomfortable pressure in my ears lets me know I'm sinking deeper and deeper. My hope is fading, and I can't hold on much longer. The little bit of breath I'm holding escapes my mouth in bubbles the same moment I feel an arm wrap around my waist.Thank you, Jesus.Just as I don't think I can hold my breath any longer, my head breaks through the surface of the water, and I suck in a much needed breath of air. Demetri's voice in my ear is the first thing I hear, and nothing has ever sounded sweeter. "I have you,Krasivaya."
A sob escapes my mouth. "Demetri."
His warm lips press against my temple, kissing me. "Relax, baby. I got you."
It doesn't take long before Demetri's boat is in sight. It stops a few yards away from us, and the engine cuts off as Demetri begins to wade toward the back end with his arm still firmly around me. Once we reach the stern, Nikolai and Andrei are there waiting for us. "Give me something to cut her loose," Demetri says, and Andrei pulls a small knife from his pocket and hands it to him. Without being told what to do, Nikolai lays down on his stomach, reaches over the side of the boat and supports my head above the water as Demetri quickly cuts the zip tie binding my wrists. The moment my hands break free, a cold burning sensation radiates up my arms.
"Wrap your arm around Nikolai, baby. We're going to get you on the boat," Demetri tells me then addresses his son. "Be careful of her shoulder, son. On three, I want you to pull her up. Andrei, you take Glory's legs."
I wrap my arm around Nikolai's neck as he braces his arm across my back, the same time Andrei grabs hold of both my legs. As calculated as they are, there is no way of helping me without jarring my injured shoulder. Together they carefully haul me out of the water, and I cry out in pain.
"Let's move," Demetri orders as soon as he pulls himself from the lake. Andrei dips his head and makes his way toward the front of the boat. A minute later we're headed back to the dock. The ride there is silent. Demetri sits on the floor and pulls me onto his lap while Nikolai is bent down on one knee next to us. His face void of emotions, but behind that mask, I see pain. Nikolai's mother was killed tonight, saving his life. He has carried mixed feelings and resentment toward his mother for so long, but I don't doubt somewhere deep down, he loved her. As much as I despised the woman, I will forever be grateful for her actions. In the end, above all else, Ivanna chose her son. Suddenly, my thoughts shift to Sasha and dread settles in my stomach. "Demetri. What happened to Sasha?"
He strokes my cheek. "He was airlifted to the hospital. He was in bad shape when we found him, but alive. Victor is with him."
"I want to see him."
"Let's get you taken care of first,Krasivaya. I assure you Sasha is in good hands as long as he has his brother with him."
I pause, giving Demetri a confused look. "Brother? Sasha has a brother here? In Montana?"
"Yes. Victor is Sasha's brother. He will make sure Sasha is cared for."
By the time we make it to the dock, Jake and the rest of The Kings are there waiting on us. With me in his arms, Demetri steps off the boat. Nikolai and Andrei follow behind. "I need to get Glory to the hospital," he tells Jake.
"Alright, brother. Take Logan with you. My men and I will get this shit cleaned up. Grace will meet ya at the hospital with Emerson, along with Glory's mom and dad. Emerson knows the staff there. With her help, Glory will be a top priority."
"Thanks, Jake," Demetri nods.
When we arrive at the hospital, Logan pulls the SUV up to the ER entrance. As Jake promised, Emerson is waiting for us. And standing beside her is a doctor and a nurse. Demetri climbs out of the backseat of the SUV with me still in his arms. The doctor and the nurse rush over to us with a gurney. "Sir." The doctor addresses Demetri, who has yet to put me down. "Miss Keller will be in good hands. You have my word. But I can't assess her unless you let her go."
Placing my palm against the back of Demetri's head, I thread my fingers through his damp hair. "Demetri, I'm kind of in pain here, and I'd like not to be. So, why don't you put me down so these people can fix me up? When they're done, you can hold me as long as you want," I say trying to make light of the situation. It works, because Demetri gives me a soft look, then he lays me down on the gurney and addresses the doctor.
"I'll be coming with her."
"That's not really how we…" the doctor goes to say but stops short when Demetri gives him a sharp look. As Nikolai, Logan and Andrei step closer, making their presence known the doctor changes his tune. "No problem, Sir."
"Grace and your parents are on their way," Emerson tells me just before I'm wheeled away to an exam room. Once there, Demetri steps back and allows the doctor and nurse to do their job; although, I can tell his presence is making the doctor a bit nervous.
"Can you tell me what happened, Miss Keller?" the doctor asks as the nurse cuts my shirt from my body then covers me with a hospital gown.
"Boating accident," Demetri answers the question for me.
The doctor goes about examining my shoulder. "Your shoulder is dislocated. I'm going to order an x-ray before I reset it. I want to make sure you don't have any further damage. You have some swelling around the joint. I'll also give you a mild sedative before I reset it. Once set, you'll be required to wear a sling for at least three weeks." Next, the doctor moves on to my wrists. They're in terrible shape, and there's no hiding the fact they were bound. My skin is raw and torn in some spots causing them to bleed. "And how did you obtain the injuries to your wrist?"
Demetri cuts in again. "None of your concern. Your only job is to treat Miss Keller so I can take her home."
I cut my eyes at Demetri and glare. "Demetri."
"Glory," he counters as his eyes bore into me, and I sigh.
"I'm sorry, Miss Keller, but as a doctor, I must ask; do you feel safe leaving with your friend?" he nods toward Demetri who lets out an audible growl and takes a step in my direction. Demetri's advance falters when a voice calls out.
"My daughter is alive because of that man," my father suddenly appears, with my mother and Logan. He juts his chin toward Demetri. "So how about you stop with the twenty questions and tend to my little girl, because right now that's your only Goddamn job, Doc."
