Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Alek
The sight of Katya falling to the ground because she was shot will haunt me forever. Both me and Dimitri rush to her side but Dimitri gets to her first.
“Katya?”
She’s unconscious and losing blood fast. Dimitri picks her up and runs to the car.
That’s when I notice Nina and Susanna. They’re in shock.
I motion for them to follow me and they finally do.
I don’t hesitate to follow Dimitri to the hospital.
Nothing will stop me from seeing Katya. I did this to her.
I shot at Dimitri and Dimitri shot in return and Katya was the casualty.
I almost crash the car in the parking lot of the ER. Nina and Susanna don’t comment on it.
When I run into the ER, I see Dimitri setting Katya down onto a gurney. Nurses and doctors surround Katya and take her into a room. Both Dimitri and I try to follow but a nurse tells us to wait outside.
I slump against the wall. “I can’t fucking believe this.”
Dimitri turns on me with so much anger, it’s frightening honestly. He tries punching me but I dodge out of the way.
“This is your fault,” he hisses.
“You shot too,” I snarl. “It could have been your bullet that hit her. Not mine.”
That seems to sink into Dimitri because he stumbles back, pain in his eyes.
“Let’s just not fight for right now,” I say. “For Katya’s sake. At least, not until we know she’s better.”
Slowly, he nods. There’s a tense silence between us as we wait for news. Nina and Susanna stay at my side. I doubt there will ever be peace between me and Dimitri but for now, we can put our differences aside.
It takes hours to hear news but finally we’re told that Katya is alive. She suffered a gunshot to her lower body but she will be ok.
“Is she paralyzed?” Dimitri asks.
The doctor frowns. “We’re waiting for her to wake up to find out.”
With those ominous words, the doctor walks away. Dimitri and I glare at each other.
“We both want to go in to see her,” I say. “But since you’re her brother, I’ll stay back. Even though I am her husband.”
Dimitri scoffs as he heads into Katya’s room.
“You have more of a right to see her than he does,” Nina says. “You’re her husband.”
“I can’t risk your safety again. And I can’t risk Katya’s. I’ll wait out here until she wakes up.” Then I have to hope that everything will be ok, even though I have no idea how it will be.
Katya
I don’t feel any pain when I wake up. The sight of my brother smiling down at me brings me comfort.
“You’re alive,” Dimitri says, cupping my face. “You’re ok. Can you move your toes?”
I wiggle them and relief crosses Dimitri’s face. “What is it?” I ask.
“You were shot. It doesn’t seem to be that you’re paralyzed.”
“I was…” That’s right. I was running between Dimitri and Alek when I got shot. “Did you…”
“Yes,” he whispers, sinking into the chair beside me. “I shot you. I am so fucking sorry, Katya. It was my job to protect you and I failed.” Tears fall from his eyes. I have never seen my brother cry before.
“And Alek?”
“He fired too. You’re not safe with him. This proves it.”
“You also shot me. It doesn’t seem that either of you are safe for me.”
He nods in agreement, wiping his tears away.
I cup his cheek. “Dimitri, end this war.”
“No.”
“Dimitri.” I harden my tone as much as possible.
“I want to be with Alek. But today, you caused so many problems when you kidnapped Nina and Susanna. Of course Alek retaliated. And of course you’re upset that he kidnapped me in the first place.
I don’t blame either of you for that. This is a messed up, confusing situation.
But what I do know is that I could have died today and I don’t want to lose you or Alek.
Make peace with him. I… I love him. I know that.
You saved me from my past and I will always be grateful but Alek can give me my future.
The one I’ve always wanted. You know if you continue to fight him, I will just get hurt.
Sofiya could get hurt. For the sake of mine and Sofiya’s safety, end this war. ”
He stares into my eyes for a long moment before he nods. “All right. I’ll stop fighting Alek but I am not making a deal with him.”
That means there’s always a chance for another war to begin.
“Dimitri…”
“I just can’t, Katya. But I can promise to not fight him for the time being. At least until you’re healed.”
“I am going to stay with him.”
“Katya –,”
I hold my hand up, cutting him off. “I am. I am an adult now, Dimitri. I can make my own choices. You can’t legally make me stay with you. I want to be with Alek, so accept it. Before I get shot again.”
His eyes darken but he nods, knowing I’m right. He can’t argue with anything I’ve said.
“I want to talk with him.”
“No.”
“Dimitri,” I snap. “I will always love you. You will always be my brother. But Alek is my husband now and I am choosing him. I will talk with him and I will go home with him and you will stop fighting him.”
I can tell Dimitri doesn’t agree with any of this but he can’t say no. I am not a little girl any longer.
Dimitri storms out of the room and after a moment, Alek comes inside. He doesn’t hesitate to rush to me.
“Are you…?” he asks.
“I can move my toes.”
“Thank god.”
“Alek.” I take his hand in mine. “Before anything else can happen to me, there’s something you need to know.” I take in a deep breath and let it out. “I love you.”
His eyes widen before he sits down into the chair like all the air has been knocked out of him. “You…”
“I love you. And I am choosing to stay with you. But as your wife. Not your prisoner. I will get to see my brother. You and him will no longer fight. If you want to make sure I don’t get shot again. Make this happen.”
He’s silent for a long moment and then nods. “Deal. I want you in my life more than anything. I thought it would feel better beating Dimitri but… this isn’t what I wanted.” He motions at me. “You got hurt. It’s never what I wanted. I… I love you too, Katya.”
Hearing Alek’s words bring a peace to my chest. Despite all the pain I’ve been through, there’s a chance for me to find happiness.
“Nina and Susanna are here. They want to talk with you.” He leaves to get them and after a moment, both girls walk in. Alek stands behind them, keeping an eye on everything.
“Katya…” Nina begins. “I’m sorry for being rude to you. After everything… I am sorry.”
“Thank you.” I turn my eyes onto Susanna.
She doesn’t sneer, so that’s progress. “For Alek’s sake, I am glad you’re not dead.” That’s as good as I’m going to get with her.
“Thank you. Can we start again? Do you think?”
“I’m ok with that,” Nina says.
Susanna hesitates before she nods.
After they leave, Alek remains by my side when Dimitri comes inside. They exchange a cold look.
“You don’t have to make a deal,” I say. “Just stop fighting. Please.”
“I don’t trust you with my sister,” Dimitri warns. “But I don’t want to hold her prisoner and make her hate me. So I am willing to let her go. But if she ever gets hurt on your watch, I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Alek holds out his hand. “Deal.”
After a moment, Dimitri shakes his hand. “Deal.”
I know things are still tense between them and probably always will be, but for now, I have both men in my life and that’s all I could ask for.