Page 86 of Vow of Silence

“Mila.”

Putting the phone up, I ran out of the room.

Oh god, please be alive.

24

CIAN

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. I wasn’t sure whether something was about to go down or if I was tripping. The presence of Resul Jasarevic in the house last night infuriated me. That slimy son of a bitch was squeezing Anya to roll over on me. She would never betray me. Viktor and his stubborn ass. He knew I was right about his timing on marrying Mila but he still wouldn’t budge. If something did happen, we would need speedy medical attention. If it was just my life, then I wouldn’t do it, but there was Anya. Mila, Viktor, and everyone else here.

Closing my eyes, I dialed the last number I wanted to dial. He hated text so he required that I talk on the phone like a non-deaf person. Gritting my teeth, I used the special software that would allow me to have a spoken conversation.

“Liam, where is the hospital in Vegas?”

There was a pregnant pause before he spoke. Rolling my eyes, I walked over to the last urinal closest to the window and unzipped my pants. It was a beautiful day in the city and I couldtell Anya had been excited to come here. Who would’ve thought she hadn’t been to Vegas? The woman had flown all over the world yet she hadn’t been to the west coast. God willing, she and I would be able to experience many things together.

“There’s no Liam here. My son better address me properly, or he won’t get the information he seeks.”

I rolled my eyes. “I could be bleeding out right now. Is this necessary?”

“Yes, especially when I confronted Itzhak for kidnapping you and Anya. Would it have killed you to at least let me know that you two were alive?”

Is he crazy? How did you know?

“I didn’t want you to worry about me. We were fine and the last thing I needed was you threatening to go to war over a dead son you’re ashamed of. It was best you didn’t know about that meeting. Besides, if Itzhak had killed me, what were you going to do? Are you so eager to die dad?”

“It doesn’t matter who it is. You are my son, regardless of whether you can hear or not. If anyone hurts you, I’ll do more than go to war. I was ready to die for you when before you slid out your mother’s womb and that will never change.”

“I know you think I can’t do things like other people, so I don’t tell you things so you don’t worry. Please know I’m not as useless as you think I am. Don’t confront Itzhak again, he has killed for much less.”

“Are you hurt son? If so, it must not be too bad. I can hear you taking a piss.”

“No, but I’m at Viktor’s wedding and I expect trouble. He refuses to postpone the ceremony so I prefer to be prepared for the unexpected rather than blindsided.”

He snorted. “If you were in the church with Anya, would you wait to marry her if Viktor told you there would be trouble?”

Hell no. That is the only occasion worth dying for.

“Do you still remember your mother’s favorite building there? The hospital is underneath it.”

“I love you dad.” I hung up before he could respond. Mikhail’s words had never left my mind and the last thing I wanted was for my father to be out there trying to go to war over my death. Once all this shit blew over, I would make certain Anya and I wouldn’t be reckless in the future.

Damn, I’ve been in here over forty minutes. Why hadn’t Anya come to get me? Knowing Viktor’s inpatient ass, he had already said his wedding vows. I walked down the hall and froze when I saw the wreckage. Viktor was lying on the floor bleeding from gunshot wounds and Mila was fretting over him.

No. Damn it. Where’s Anya?

I walked to one of Felix’s men.

Kicking a chair out of the way, I bent and picked him up. I dug my finger into the gunshot wound in his chest. “Where is she? Where is Anya?”

His body twitched and his eyes opened. “Boris and the others took her. That bitch will be dead by nightfall for betraying Felix. I slammed him down on my knee breaking his spine, then I tossed him aside like a piece of trash. A sharp pain sliced through my chest and I roared.

Viktor staggered to his feet leaving a bloody trail behind him. “I promise you, on the grave of my mother and father. I’ll find a way to get her back.” He took out his dagger and slashed through his jacket until the flesh was opened. Bright crimson blood dripped down his arm.

“Cian, I will get her back. This is my blood promise to you.”

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