Page 94 of Darkest Game
“My girls,” Mom gasps and runs to us, checking Ana’s face first before looking me over. “What happened? I called Nico. I know Denis took you both. Why are you wearing a blanket?”
I have to speak up and use my voice even if my throat is still a little sore from when Elaine cut me. “Denis kidnapped me to take me to Elaine. He’s working with her. Though, I convincedhim to shoot her so they’re probably not working together anymore. Elaine is still alive. She escaped. But you all have to know: she stripped me naked and tried to have me raped. Again. She’s desperate to make it happen. The only reason I’m alive and unhurt right now is because of Liam. He showed up and saved my life. He took a bullet for me, Mom.”
Her breath hitches. “He did what?”
“Yes. I’d be dead right now if he hadn’t. So, I’m going to get dressed and then I’m going to the hospital to check in on him. To make sure he survives. And you are not going to stop me. You are not going to shame me. Liam is my husband. He has saved my life many times now. Yes, how we first met wasn’t ideal. But I have forgiven him for that. And I need you to forgive him for that too. Because he has shown up for me on multiple occasions. He has fought to save my life. And I love him.”
“Love him?” My mom’s voice is barely above a whisper. She’s never heard me speak like this before.
“Yes. Love him.” I look at Natalya and Sasha. “And I need you all to accept him.” I turn to Nico. “I need you to agree to work with him after you deal with Elaine. I need this. Now, I’m going to get dressed and then I’m going to the hospital. And none of you will stop me. What does Liam have to do to make you trust him? He took a bullet for me. What more is there?”
I walk past my shocked family and into the guest bedroom where Bear and Luna are sleeping on the bed. I rub each of their heads before I break down into tears. They both snuggle closer to me.
“I’m glad you two are doing well,” I whisper to them. “I hope I’ll be fine too.”
After composing myself, I put on clothes and head back down to my family. They’re still in the foyer, looking around at each other, shocked expressions on their face.
“Irina,” Natalya says, pulling me to the side. “I didn’t know this is how you felt.”
“You never asked. But you’ve been busy dealing with Mikhail. I understand.”
“I should have been there for you. I should have listened to you. I’m your big sister. I’m sorry for that.”
“I’m a big sister too. Ana needed me and I wasn’t there for her. So, I guess we’ve all failed each other in some regard, right?”
“Yeah. I guess so. What happened to our family? We used to always be there for each other.”
“Denis,” I say simply. “Denis happened. He tore us all apart. But now we have the chance to rebuild. Rebuild with me.” I hold out my hand and she takes it without hesitation.
“If you say you love Liam, then I’ll accept it. You’re right. He took a bullet for you. There isn’t much else he can do to prove himself to us as a family.”
“Thank you. If you could help Mom see that, that would be great.”
“Of course. I’ve got you.”
Sasha comes over to give me a hug. “I’m glad you’re all right. I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you either. I’m not one to judge falling in love with someone who you shouldn’t. I struggled with my feelings for Nico for a long time. How could I love a man with his kind of darkness? But I eventually did. And it seems that Liam, despite his own darkness, has a lot of good in him. So I won’t get in the way of you being with him. I promise.”
“Thank you. Now, I want to get to the hospital. I need to know that Liam is all right.”
As a family, we all head to the hospital. My sisters are supporting me but the one hard part is my mom. It’s going to take her a while to come around. I know she still isn’t exactly happy about Natalya and Sasha being married to theirhusbands. It will take her time but I have to believe that if Liam survives, she’ll accept him.
I rush to the front nurses desk and ask for Liam. A doctor pulls me to the side.
“Are you his wife?” he asks me.
“Yes.”
“He’s in surgery right now for the bullet in his stomach. You can wait in the waiting room. We’ll update you on any news.”
“But if he’s in surgery, that means he’s still alive, right?”
“Yes. It does. But he came in a bad condition. He seems like a fighter though. So we’re not giving up on him as long as he doesn’t give up on himself.”
I sit down in the waiting room with Natalya on one side of me and Ana on the other. Sasha sits to Ana’s other side. We’re a united front of sisters. We haven’t been this way in over two years. Not since our father died and Denis took over.
“How is Mikhail doing?” I ask Natalya.
“He’s getting through. His arm is seriously burned but they’ll be able to do a skin graft. He’ll just have scarring there the rest of his life. But he’s going to make it. He’s strong.”
