Page 108 of Marked (Russian Sinners 1)

“I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the bathroom and was back fast, true to his word. He was changed into clean clothes.

I swore the nurses must have timed it right, because no sooner did he emerge from the bathroom, they were in here to change my bandages. I laid still, letting them do their job. It was the quickest way to get out of the hospital.

They were in and out, efficiently. After that, Dimitry sat next to me and wrapped me in his arms. No sooner did my head touch his chest, and my palm felt his heartbeat sleep had taken me over.

Chapter Forty-Three

Dimitry

Anastasia ended up staying in the hospital for another week. Her recovery was slow but she was determined to do everything the doctors said to help speed it up. She couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital and go back to our place.

Each day I ordered flowers for delivery and her eyes would light up in delight. Her father and grandfather visited, which would give me time to go take care of business. Misha and my men were still in search of Vlad but couldn’t find him. He was the last loose cannon to handle to ensure Anastasia’s full safety.

Finally the day came when she was let out of the hospital. My men were outside with Misha, armed to their fullest, with vehicles ready to ensure we don’t run into any issues on the way home. It was only October and the first snowfall covered the ground.

As I wheeled her out of the hospital, she exclaimed in surprise. “Snow already?”

She hadn’t seen outside of her room and the hospital had all windows covered so she couldn’t have seen the snowfall.

“Yes, it gets cold fast here. Snow is a good sign,” I kissed her on her forehead. She was still a little pale.

She smiled and her eyes darted to the vehicles.

“Hey Misha,” she greeted him.

I thought Misha was going to cry, he looked choked up.

“Natasha sent this for you.” He handed her a package.

“Thank you. How is she feeling? All good with the pregnancy?” And this was why everyone was drawn to this woman. She was being wheeled out of the hospital and she was interested in his wife’s pregnancy.

“Yes, she and baby are good,” he replied, clearing his throat. I couldn’t blame him for choking up though; she had the same effect on me. Even worse. Seeing her in pain hurt worse than just having the pain myself. Because I couldn’t spare her from it.

“Wonderful. That makes me happy.”

“Let’s get you home, milaya,” I murmured softly.

The drive home was almost two hours and snow delayed it a bit more. Misha drove our vehicle and I sat in the back with Anastasia, her body leaned against me, her head on my chest. She fell asleep thirty minutes into the drive.

“Will she be alright?” Misha asked me in Russian. “She looks pale.”

I gently tangled my fingers through her soft, dark hair; her scent enveloping me, calming me.

“Yes. Her vitals are strong. She lost a lot of blood and it will take some time to recover.”

He nodded and our eyes met in the mirror. “She is a strong woman. My heart almost stopped seeing her take that bullet.”

I was sure mine did stop and only resumed in hopes to keep her with me.

“Anything on Vlad?” I asked instead.

“We got information he showed up in St. Petersburg. He tried to approach Olivia Fray at Nikolai’s place.” I could hear it in Misha’s voice, he was pissed off Vlad wasn’t found yet. “He was gone before guards could get to thim. We’ll keep searching.”

I had no doubt that Misha would find him. Vlad had been the one selling us out. He was the mole that purposely kept information from me and fed it to Boris. I pulled out my phone, careful not to move Anastasia or wake her up. She needed all the rest she could get.

I shot off a quick message to Nikolai and Sergei. I had kept in touch with both of them through Anastasia’s recovery, and assured Anastasia her friends were safe. Sergei and Nikolai were taking all precautions. We all agreed it was too risky for them and us to be in the same place. From what both men told me, it was hard to keep her girlfriends at bay.

My lips twisted into a smile. If they were anything like my Anastasia, I was sure my brothers had their hands full.

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