Chapter 20
20
VIKTOR
I wake up slowly, the beeping in the background an annoyance. I just want to go back to sleep. But my mind tells me to wake up. With great reluctance, my eyelids flutter open and I see white walls and half-open blinds—it’s a hospital room.
“He’s waking up,” I hear a voice say, and a moment later I see Bane, his eyes wide, a bruise on his jaw. “Oh, thank God. We were so worried.”
“Wh—” I begin, but my voice is hoarse, almost too low. It doesn’t sound like me. I feel something in my nose and realize I’m wearing oxygen. Suddenly, it all comes filtering back to me, the wooden shack, the eerie inside, the lab equipment. And the knock to the head. I don’t remember anything after that. I swallow, my throat clicking as Bane lifts a cup to my lips. I sip water from the straw, feeling instant relief.
“Where were you? You disappeared,” I rasp and then blink slowly, trying to remember what happened. What happened to me?
“Oh, I was around and doing…things. ”
I stare at him and he thrusts something in my hand. “A wedding gift.”
“What?”
“A gift. For your wedding.”
I stare down at it. A toe as a pendant.
“Thank you,” I say, wondering if perhaps I’ve died and gone to Heaven. What the fuck is Bane talking about? Wedding?
“Bane, you’re smothering him,” Tatum says, shooing him away and touching my arm gently. “How are you? We were so worried.”
“Luca,” I say, suddenly remembering that he was right behind me when I rushed into the building. Oh god. No.
The fire .
Luca .
Tatum’s eyes flash, something I can’t quite identify moving through.
“Yes, Luca. He’ll be back soon.” He winks at me, and I’m left in a state of confusion, slightly numb as I try to recall the details of what happened. I can’t remember much, just that something hit me on the head and then everything went black. I stare down at my hands and see both of my arms are wrapped with bandages, and I wonder if the fire got me.
“You were burned. They aren’t as bad as Luca’s, but you will need to take care of them for a while,” Anthony says, walking through the doorway. He looks impeccable as always and he touches my leg over the blanket covering it. “I’m glad you’re okay.” His voice breaks slightly and he clears it. “I’m really fucking glad.”
“What happened? Where is he?” I ask, almost frantic now.
“Just being taken care of. He’ll be back shortly.”
My heart rate spikes and I feel sweat bead on my forehead. I feel like I’m going to pass out. “He…he got burned?”
“Yes. He went into the fire, looking for you.”
I can’t breathe, my chest aching. “Why?”
“To save you.”
“He shouldn’t have done that. ”
“He wouldn’t have had it any other way. And neither would I.”
Just as he says that, Jax enters, pushing Luca in a wheelchair. Jax looks a bit haggard but whole, as he winks and smiles at me. My eyes slide down to Luca. He’s wearing a hospital gown, his arms, hands, and legs wrapped in white bandages, but his face is just as perfect as before, untouched, unscarred. He looks like himself, like home.
His eyes meet mine, and his lips turn down. My heart is in my throat. Everyone can see it, can hear it pounding. It’s clear from the monitor pinging loudly next to me.
“Hello, kitten. Glad you’re awake.” His voice is hoarse as well. Most likely from smoke inhalation.
My breathing saws in and out of me as he’s wheeled up next to me, and his bandaged hand reaches out and gently touches mine.
“You saved me.”
“I told you to stay near me and you ran into the flames. I had no other choice.”
“Luca.” It’s a gasp, a wheeze.
“I walked through fire for you, baby.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper as tears leak down my face.
“You should have listened to me, but you didn’t. Never again.”
“I know, but you’re not the boss of me.”
“I literally am.” His mouth is set in a frown and his fingers reach out, the bandages rubbing against the tears streaking down my cheeks.
“Not always.”
Luca arches an eyebrow at me, and I melt as his gaze meets mine. “I’m going to have to punish you when we’re better. For disobeying.”
I huff a small laugh and then cough. “Yeah, alright. I’ll accept it.”
“Good. Now I’m going to kiss you, kitten. Soft and gentle because you’re hurt, but when things improve, I’m going to make you bleed.”
“Do it. Please,” I whisper, needing his lips on mine.
He leans up from his chair and our mouths meet in a sweet, soft kiss before he falls back .
“Oh, the first kiss as husbands!” Bane cries and then slaps a hand over his mouth.
“Why the fuck does he keep saying that?” I ask Luca.
“Oh! Me! I know! He put a gun to a priest’s head and made him marry you!” Bane blurts again and then slaps another hand over his mouth, his eyes wide, dancing with laughter.
“What the fuck, Luca!”
“What?” He doesn’t move his eyes from me, unashamed and unrepentant.
“You married me? You didn’t even get my consent, you asshole. You can’t just go around doing that shit.”
“Why would I get your consent when I knew what you’d say?”
“Luca,” I say with a growl. “That’s not a thing. Plus, it’s against the law.”
“You would have said fucking yes. Why bother asking? And we break the law all the time. It’s our job.”
“You are such a shit.” I look down at my hand and meet his eyes once more. “And where the hell is my ring? Hm? You married me and didn’t deliver.”
“On order,” he replies. “Rush delivery. Don’t worry, kitten. I have all bases covered.”
“Well, I’m not saying yes. I’ll think on it.”
Luca arches an eyebrow. “You know you’re fucking ecstatic and you’re going to wear that fucking ring until we die. You’d say yes in a heartbeat if you weren’t such a stubborn little shit.”
My face heats, and I shrug. “I’m pissed at you. That’s what this is. Marrying me without consent.”
“I’ll make you fucking admit that this was a genius idea. When I get these damn things off.” He holds his arms up, and I see the bandages, really realizing for the first time since I woke up what he did for me. He must see the pain on my face because he shakes his head.
“Don’t. It was hard. But it was worth it. ”
The sincerity in his voice makes me melt. “I’m still mad at you. Mostly. And I want a fucking actual wedding, when…no if , I say yes.”
He huffs a laugh. “Fine, pretty boy. We can have your wedding. Whatever you want, whenever you want. As long as you say yes.”
I eye him, and he winks at me.
“I think that’s a yes,” Bane whispers loudly, and Tatum nudges him roughly.
“We need to get you out of here before you ruin any more surprises.”
My gaze meets Luca’s—my husband—and I raise my eyebrows.
“Are there more surprises?”
“No, not that I can think of. But,” he leans forward and lowers his voice so only I can hear, “if I could get you pregnant, I would.”
My breath catches, and he grins at me.
“I may have to try. Fill that hole up as much as I can.”
My dick starts to perk up just as Doc walks in, looking amused.
“No more making his heart race, Luca. Honestly, keep it in your pants, you two.”
Anthony huffs a laugh, and Bane cackles. “No one likes it in their pants, Doc.”
“Definitely not you,” Doc replies.
Bane grins and wiggles on his feet. Anthony clears his throat and then nods to Tatum. “Why don’t you and Jax take Bane and get him some hot chocolate?”
Tatum nods and then links arms with Bane, dragging him out of the room, and Jax follows behind. This leaves Luca and me, Doc and Anthony.
When we’re sure Bane is gone, Anthony sits on the edge of my bed as Doc checks me over.
“We will get you moved home tomorrow. The doctor says your head scans are clear and as long as we continue to monitor you for a concussion, we should be good to go,” Anthony says. “But first, do you remember anything that happened?”
I shake my head. “Just that I ran in looking for Jax and before I could even start looking, I was hit in the head with something and blacked out.”
“Must have been a wicked hit. Did you see anyone?”
“Not that I remember.”
Anthony runs a hand over his jaw and sighs. “Jax thinks Henry might have hit you with something and fled.”
“You didn’t find him?”
“No, and that’s the reason I didn’t want Bane here. He will lose it when he finds out we were so close and we didn’t get him.”
“Yeah. So what do we do now?”
Anthony looks at Luca. “Well, you two will focus on getting better and while you’re healing, I’ve asked Mikhail to come over with Angel, despite him being in retirement of sorts. He said he’d help us deal with the Sirens.”
“Shit.”
“He’s arriving tomorrow. And then we have a meeting. We’ll set them straight and if they don’t listen, we burn them to the ground.”
Luca winces, and Anthony lowers his chin slightly. “They’re definitely the ones behind the misinformation and the distribution.”
“And the dead bodies? Who’s been dropping them off?”
“No idea, but I’m betting it’s someone linked to either Henry or the Sirens. Either way, we’ll eventually get them to talk.”
“Good,” I say, and Luca sighs.
“That’s all we know. Now, can I have some time alone with my husband?”
Anthony stands, and Doc finishes up with me, the two of them leaving the room moments later.
Luca’s gaze meets mine and his bandaged hand touches my biceps.
“Mine,” he whispers, and I lean my head back against the pillow. I ache and I’m exhausted, but I’ve never felt more alive.
“Yours.”
Luca and I returned home the next day, and Anthony hired a burn unit nurse to come to the house to take care of Luca while he recovers. It’s not needed, but he insisted. His second-degree burns, I found out, are not only on his arms and legs, but on his back as well. They’re not as bad as they could have been, but he will have scars once he’s recovered.
And I can’t help the guilt that overcomes me every time I see him.
What he did for me. What he risked.
“Stop looking at me like that,” he grumbles, his voice still rough. “I don’t regret it.”
“I do,” I say as I gingerly touch his bandages. He’s currently reclining in bed, and even though he’s still on medication for the pain, he is handling this entire situation better than I expected. Better than I would have been. I only suffered first-degree burns on my forearms and hands. Nothing major. Nothing life-changing.
“Will you admit you should have listened to me?” he asks, and I roll my eyes.
“If I’d known you’d be this hurt, I might have given it a second thought.”
“Good to know where I fall on your list of priorities.”
I let out a small laugh just as a nurse comes into the room. Nancy is older, no-nonsense, and takes zero shit from Luca.
“Alright, lovebirds. It’s time for me to change his bandages.”
“I’ll stay if that’s alright,” I say.
“That’s fine, but no blubbering like last time.”
Luca lets out a small snort and then winks at me. “My husband does get rather emotional when it comes to me.”
“I do not.”
I sniffle, already feeling slightly emotional as I step aside to let Nancy near the bed. Luca meets my gaze and his lips turn down. “Viktor, I don’t need you to stay. Just go find something to eat while she does this. I’m sure Angel would like to catch up as well. I’ll be out as soon as I’m done. ”
“You will not. You’ll rest until the pain subsides,” Nancy bites out and then arches an eyebrow as if daring him to challenge her.
Luca glowers at her but goes ignored. Anthony definitely got it right when he hired her.
“You sure?” I finally ask, wanting to stay and offer support, but also dreading having to see the reddened skin under those bandages.
“I’m sure, kitten. Now go.”
I turn and walk out, my stomach rumbling. How he always knows when I’m hungry is fucking obnoxious. He’s more in tune with me than I thought. I never stood a chance when it came to him.
“Oh! Viktor! I was just coming to find you,” Angel says, rushing toward me, his eyes wide with concern, his cheeks flushed. “I heard what happened. Oh my god, you’re so hurt.”
His fingers flutter around my bandaged arms and then fall to his sides just as his husband, Mikhail, walks up behind him. The formidable Russian mob boss, brought to heel by an angel.
“How are you feeling? How’s Luca?”
“He’s stubborn and still an asshole. But he’s fine.”
A laugh bubbles out of him and he swallows it down. “Oh, I shouldn’t laugh. I’m just so glad you’re both okay. Dad told me what happened. It’s horrific but also so lovely.”
“Yeah, he saved me. Dickhead.”
Angel’s arms go up to his chest and he clutches his heart. “It’s so romantic. I mean, saving you from the fire, marrying you while you were unconscious. Just a dream. Don’t you think so, Mikhail?”
I peer up at his husband, his stern face softening slightly. “Of course. Though I didn’t marry you without your consent, you did save me, remember?”
“I did.”
He leans into Mikhail’s chest, and Mikhail kisses the top of his head. My stomach rumbles loudly once more, and Angel perks up.
“Oh, you’re hungry. Come on. Are you up for sitting on the porch? Teddy made us some treats and tea.”
“Yeah, I think sitting would be good. ”
Angel nods as we walk side by side to the porch where Anthony and Tatum are waiting, a small table set out with plates of food and steaming cups of tea. I lower myself into a chair, and Anthony tilts his chin up at me.
“I assume Luca is being difficult,” he says, making Tatum snort.
“Like always.”
He huffs a laugh and then adds, “That’s why I hired Nancy. She doesn’t fuck around. And I knew Viktor would get too emotional tending to him himself.”
“I would not. I’m a man.”
Anthony rolls his eyes. Tatum grins at me and then hands me a cup of tea. “Well, either way, it was a good choice. I heard her tell him to shut up when he was trying to boss her around.”
“Good. He needs someone to put him in his place so he can recover.”
“Oh, god, I’m so glad to be home,” Angel says with a sigh, sitting down on Mikhail’s lap. “I missed this.”
“It’s not nearly as cold here,” Mikhail says, and Angel nods, snuggling up to his husband.
“It’s not. I do miss the warm weather.”
“It will be better in the summer,” Mikhail replies, and Angel reaches back and threads their hands together.
“I know, my love. I’m not saying I want to move. Just making a comparison.”
Mikhail looks slightly placated at that when Teddy appears with another plate of small cakes. He’s trailed by a man I don’t recognize, and Angel must catch my stare because he says, “Oh, this is Jake. I brought him to show him the gardens. He’s the gardener I hired to take care of mine in New York.” He leans a little closer to me, and whispers, “And I think Teddy and him have a thing.”
My eyebrows rise as Teddy blushes when Jake smiles at him, signing something.
Suddenly, Bane appears and gasps when he sees Jake’s hands moving .
Without a word, he seamlessly interrupts with a waggle of his hand, and then Jake and Bane are chatting fluidly.
It’s amazing to watch and it confirms that I need to learn. I’ll sign up for a class as soon as my arms are healed.
Bane snorts a loud laugh, and Jake huffs, all while Teddy watches, his eyes following the conversation.
Not that he’s participating, but he is listening.
“They’re too fast for me to know what they’re saying, but it’s fine. We don’t need to snoop. It’s not often Jake has someone to chat with. Although the guards are learning. I’m so proud of all of them,” Angel says.
“They’d do anything for their little husband,” Mikhail says, and Anthony puts a cup of tea to his lips, holding back a smile.
It must make him incredibly pleased to know his sons are with men who love them, who will take care of them.
“Where are the guards, anyway?” Angel asks.
“Meeting with Anthony’s men. To prepare for the meeting with the Sirens.”
“Oh, okay, and I know that is important, but they may be hungry…”
As they continue to speak to one another, Anthony leans forward so only I can hear, and says, “Just so you know, I’ve invited Luca’s aunt and uncle to stay with us while Luca recovers. I told his aunt what happened and she wanted to come see him.”
My heart rate picks up, my palms starting to sweat. “Oh. Oh fuck. Seriously?”
“Yes, Viktor, you’re going to meet his family.”
I stare down at my lap and then back at Anthony. “Do they know we’re married?”
“I thought it would be best for you both to tell them.”
“When will they arrive?”
“Tomorrow. I wanted you to know so you can prepare.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, feeling my cheeks flame and my heart pound. “Does Luca know they’re coming?”
“I’ll tell him after our meeting later today. We need to go over the logistics of dealing with the Sirens. I’d like you in attendance, if you’re feeling up to it.”
“I’ll be there.”
He nods and then hands me another cake. “Luca wanted me to make sure you were eating. As if I didn’t take care of you all those years.” He rolls his eyes slightly, and I huff a small laugh.
“He’s controlling.”
“He’s a menace, but I love him like a brother, so I can excuse most of it.”
“I get it. He’s an asshole.”
As I say that, Luca is rolled out by Nancy, who is chastising him pretty thoroughly. An IV pole is being pushed out with him and he looks annoyed.
“Never point a gun at me again, you got it?” she hisses and then swats at his head as she parks him right next to me and puts the brake on the wheelchair.
“Luca, what the hell?” I say. “Stop pointing weapons at people. Especially the ones trying to help you.”
“She wanted me to wait. Longer . I fucking waited, Vik.” He pulls out a cigarette, but Nancy grabs it and tosses it aside into the bushes.
“You’re an idiot,” she hisses.
“You’re fired,” he growls.
Nancy slaps his head again and then moves down the porch. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Anthony nods and peers over at Luca, who is huffing and puffing. “She is a bitch. I fucking hate her.”
“She’s the only one who can handle you,” Anthony says.
I let out a small laugh, and Luca glowers at me. “Oh, you think this is funny?”
“Kind of. You are a shit.”
“So are you.”
“Fuck off,” I reply with a cough and then blush when he leans closer and whispers, “You’re also a slut. My slutty husband. ”
I roll my lips between my teeth and swing my eyes out to the large estate, seeing Jake and Bane moving out to the gardens, the two of them continuing to chat in sign language while Teddy watches on, his lips in a small frown.
But before I can think too much about that, I see Casey move up the steps, followed by a few other guards I recognize from my short trip out to Mikhail’s home. When Casey’s eyes meet mine, he smiles.
“Look who the fuck it is. So good to see you, man.” Casey touches my shoulder gently and then nods at Luca.
“Heard you two fuckers got married.”
“I was forced,” I murmur, but still feel my heart flutter in remembrance.
“Yeah, you look real pissed about it,” Casey remarks and then lets out a laugh.
“Anyway, we’re ready for a debrief whenever you are. But Aggie said she had some food for us inside.” The men behind him all sigh in relief, as if they’ve just been starved for days.
“I think they need to eat and then we can have the meeting,” Angel interjects, standing up and walking inside.
The Russian guards look at Mikhail and then turn to follow their little husband inside.
It seems we all realize who rules the roost.
When they all disappear inside, Anthony turns toward Mikhail, lifting an eyebrow.
“I know. Do not say a word,” Mikhail grumbles. “You raised a very strong son. I have lost all of my control.”
Anthony laughs lowly, and I turn my gaze toward Luca, who is watching me intently.
“What?” I ask, feeling suddenly nervous.
“Just thinking how pretty you look.” I flush crimson, and he leans a little closer to me. “Husband.”
My skin tingles as he reaches out his fingertips and brushes against mine.
“Your ring arrives tomorrow.”
I glance down at my finger, the place where it will sit, before meeting Luca’s gaze once more.
“You’ll wear it,” he says. It’s not a question, but more of a command.
“Maybe,” I reply, but he can tell by the slant of my mouth and the pounding of my pulse that I will.
Once I can put it on, I’ll fucking wear it until I die.
And for the first time since laying eyes on Luca, I realize that I have him.
He’s mine.
“Your aunt and uncle will be visiting,” I say, breaking the news to him as we get situated in bed.
We had a meeting with Mikhail and his guards, as well as some of our own, preparing to confront the Sirens. It’s going to be bloody and messy, and when we found Bane on the other side of the wall, listening in on our meeting, we realized it’s going to be chaotic as well.
This could go horribly wrong.
All of it. And I’m dreading the repercussions.
“What do you mean?” Luca asks as he gets settled in bed. “When?”
“They arrive tomorrow.”
“Shit. They’re going to see me like this.”
“That’s the point. They want to see you . They’re worried.”
“Did you call them?”
“I didn’t think to. Anthony did.”
“Of course he did. Asshole.”
“He cares.”
“Yeah, but fuck, my aunt is going to cry, and I hate it when she does that.”
He peers over at me, and I can’t help but smile. “If anyone should be freaking out about them arriving, it’s me.”
“Why the fuck should you be freaking out?” Luca grumbles as I help him rearrange his pillows so he’s comfortable.
“Because I’m meeting your family. What if they don’t like me?”
Luca huffs. “They already love you. Stop being dramatic. Plus, we’re already married.” He looks so smug right now, and I wish I could punch him, but I wouldn’t dare. Not with how injured he is. Right now, I just want him to get better, stay hydrated and rest. In a few weeks, I can touch him again. For the time being, I’m going to behave. “What the fuck are they gonna say? They can’t object now. It’s too late.”
“You’re such a dick,” I murmur.
“Yeah, and you married me anyway.”
I roll my eyes but shift closer to him, wanting to be connected at as many points as I can. I can’t wait until he’s healed and I can run my hands across his skin.
“I didn’t actually say yes, but I haven’t divorced you yet either, so I guess that’s a win in your favor.”
“You won’t divorce me. You’re too in love with me to do that.”
I snort and our eyes meet, my body warming at his intense glare.
“I never said I was in love with you,” I reply, my voice a whisper.
“Yeah, but I know you are. So admit it, kitten.”
“Hell no. You first.” I purse my lips and huff in annoyance. “How about you submit for once, Luca?”
“Never. That’s all you, baby.”
We’re silent a moment, the tips of our fingers skimming each other’s until I finally exhale.
“Fine. I may love you. A little.”
Luca’s grin widens and he bites his bottom lip. “That so, pretty boy? Well, that’s good because I love you too. And don’t ever think of divorcing me. This is it, Vik. You and me.”
His fingers caress mine and fireworks shoot across my skin.
“Yeah, seems so.” I lean forward and kiss him gently. I hover over him for a minute, our noses brushing, our breath mingling. “Seems I’m stuck with you.”
“Yeah, you fucking are.”
He leans up slightly and captures my mouth once more, making me swoon at the intimacy of it, and when we finally part, I lie next to him, realizing that I’m a lucky man.
Married to a possessive, overbearing asshole.
But he’s mine, nonetheless.
“Oh, I have something else for you,” he says, reaching over and grabbing something from the end table drawer.
I stare at the red rose in his hand and feel my eyes sting.
“Fuck you, Luca,” I whisper as I take it from him.
“To new beginnings.”
“Yes.”