Chapter 18
Vivian
What the hell was that?
Jerking up, I clenched the sheets, my heart slamming against my chest. With the darkness suffocating, I blinked several times, trying to ascertain what I’d heard. I was met with uneasy silence, but I sensed something was wrong.
My eyes slowly became used to the shadows that had formed creatures in the room from the slender light of the moon coming in through the blinds. I took a deep breath, finally fully awake.
As soon as I threw back the covers, my breath hitched. Either I’d been dreaming or I’d heard a cry of agony.
With cautious steps, I rose from the bed. I’d been certain I’d left a light on. Hadn’t I?
I’d been dreaming, the images of Hawaii lingering but instead of being there with Gabriel, I’d been with Kirill. He’d been the one to die in a fiery crash. Shuddering, I touched my face. It was hot to the touch and I could swear his scent lingered in the room.
Taking a single step away from the bed, my knees tried to give out. Now the silence was an unnerving as before, the shadows in the room oppressive.
Why I’d thought Kirill would stay in the room was beyond me. Where had he gone? A lump had already formed in my throat, butterflies in my stomach as I headed for the door. As quietly as possible, I opened it, cringing when the hinges creaked.
A light was on in the room that had been locked before.
I took another deep breath before deciding to find out where Kirill had gone. I’d only gone a few feet when another noise had me clinging to the wall. Within seconds, I realized the sound was his voice. And he was obviously very unnerved.
A few more steps and I was just outside the room. Why in the world was I hesitating? We’d had an enjoyable dinner, his questions less pointed than I’d been expecting. Yet he’d never taken his eyes off me as if expecting me to try to run.
If he’d been so concerned I would, why not lock me in the room?
I peeked around the corner, my eyes taking a full minute to process what I was seeing.
The room was a mess. Not because of work being done but because of a tantrum thrown. A computer was on the floor, the screen still glowing white from a Word document. There were papers everywhere, two phones. Oh, God. He’d found a way to look inside my phone.
On the desk was a bottle, liquid dripping ever so slowly to the floor.
And Kirill stood with his hands on the surface and his head down.
I stepped inside, uncertain what to say or what had occurred, but with his shoulders rising and falling in a scattered pattern, I sensed his mood.
Without me uttering a word, he sensed my presence, spinning around to face me. His face was contorted, his mouth twisted in a horrible way. I felt as if I was confronting a monster.
There was no other light but the laptop’s screen, but it was enough for me to see the darkness within his eyes, a reflection of his soul that I’d been witness to more than once.
Only this time, the vivid emotions that he was grappling with controlling were directed at me. No words were spoken as he slowly lowered his gaze to my bare feet.
But the beast inside him gained momentum and he took three long strides toward me and before I could react, he slammed me against the wall.
“Vivian.”
His teeth were gritting, the man spitting fire, his hot breath creating a series of electric vibrations.
“What’s wrong?”
“You…” His fingers dug into my bare arms, but he shifted one hand, wrapping his fingers around my throat.
“Kirill. What are you doing?” His breathing wasn’t normal, far too labored for his rage. Something was off. Very wrong.
“You lied to me. You of all people.”
“What are you talking about?” I pressed my hand against his chest, trying to keep my tone even as I studied him. I needed additional light, but I sensed he was sweating.
“You’re a fucking Irish princess.”
I’d known he was going to discover who my uncle was. I should have told him myself, but I’d enjoyed the time with him. I’d been stupid in doing so. “So what? He’s a terrible person. I don’t want anything to do with my uncle. He’s worse than my father.”
“But you lied to me. You lied. To. Me!” He dropped his head so our lips were almost touching. The man was struggling with his emotions while I was doing everything in my power to keep from freaking out.
He could very well decide to hurt me. I smelled alcohol on his breath, but that’s not what concerned me. “Kirill. You need to listen to me. I think your infection has gotten worse.”
His laugh sent several chills through me. I’d never seen or heard him like this. Even his body was swaying.
I dared risk angering him further by placing my hand on his forehead. His reaction was swift, knocking my arm away while squeezing my neck. Within seconds, the pressure became so much that stars floated in front of my eyes.
“Kirill. Don’t. Please…” His fingers dug into my skin until I couldn’t breathe. I was fighting him, pounding my fists against his chest. His hold was too strong. Too strong. I would pass out soon. “Kirill.”
His eyes were wild, his chest heaving and with his body shaking so violently, I knew the fever had to be at least one hundred and three. Dear God, the man was burning up from the infection. He could die if I didn’t get him some help.
With my eyesight dimming, the pressure still building, every sound was strangled as I tried to beg him to let me go. “Kirill. Please.”
Something within him snapped and he released his hold, immediately backing away with his face twisting.
Coughing, I turned to the side, blinking away tears and I tried my best to get enough air in my lungs.
A roar filled the room, the sound agonizing. He had no idea how horrific his condition was.
By the time I recovered enough so I could plead with him to allow me to take him to the hospital, he’d turned around and picked up the laptop.
When I walked closer, I discovered just how much he’d learned about me. Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Kirill. You need to hear me. You’re burning up with fever. You need antibiotics. I must take you to the hospital.”
“No!” He spun around again, his fist raised and his eyes completely lost in the fever. He had no understanding of what he was doing, which made him that much more dangerous. I tried again, placing my hand on his chest, praying I could get through to him.
“Please. I don’t want to lose you.”
He laughed, raking his hands through his hair and stumbling backwards against the desk. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. You aren’t going to lose me. Do you know why?”
“Why?” How could I get him to listen to me? How?
He pointed his finger at me, his body swaying more than before. With the light of the laptop, I confirmed I was right. His shirt was soaked with sweat, strings running down his face.
“We’re going to be married.”
“What?” He was completely delusional. This was maddening. I had to get help. “Kirill. You don’t know what you’re saying. I’m going to get help.” When he just stared at me, I dove for my phone, managing to grab it before he yanked me off my feet, holding me in the air.
“Today. We’re getting married today. Do you hear me? Do you? Do you?” He wrenched the phone from my hand, tossing it across the room. As it shattered into several pieces, I whimpered.
“Yes. I hear you. Okay. Let’s get you some help.”
“I don’t need help. I don’t need… anything. Not a…” He looked away and suddenly collapsed to the floor.
“Kirill. Oh, my God.” I dropped to my knees, feeling for his pulse. It was weak, his breathing far too labored.
He could easily go into shock.
There was no time to waste or give a damn about his beloved protocol. While the thought of stealing a set of keys and driving him myself entered my mind, there was no way I could maneuver his huge body down the stairs and into a vehicle.
I had to track down one of the men watching the house.
So I left the alarm on, hoping that would draw their attention. I flew down the stairs, fumbling with the lock on the front door while trying to remain calm. While I could call an ambulance since I knew the address, I couldn’t count on how the soldiers would handle the action.
The last thing I wanted was to get anyone killed.
Finally, I managed to throw open the door, taking the time to turn on the outside light before racing outside.
I had no idea where to look but with three steps, the outside motion detector light came on.
Maybe all I needed to do was to stay right where I was.
Even with time running out, I tested the theory. Two armed men came running, stopping short when they noticed me. Without hesitation, I confronted them.
“You need to listen to me. Kirill is sick. He has a very bad infection from the knife wound. He’s delirious and passed out. He needs to go to the hospital.”
The two of them just glared at me.
“Do you speak English? Do you not understand what the fuck I’m saying? I am a doctor and he is dying. Do you want his blood on you?”
The two of them looked at each other.
“Talk to me. You can see for yourself. I’m not making this up and I didn’t do this. He is going to die without help that I can’t give him here.” When they still didn’t budge, I was completely exasperated. “Well, I am not going to let him die. I’ll do this without you.”
“Wait. Where is he?” one of them asked.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I pointed to the house. “On the second floor. There’s a security room. I can’t budge him.”
“Stay here. I’ll get him. Bring the SUV,” he told the other soldier. With his thick Russian accent, I could barely understand him, but when he took off running, I realized I was in pajamas.
I rushed after him, bounding up the stairs and into the room, not paying a single bit of attention to what I’d thrown on.
At least I had the forethought to grab my hospital ID.
Not everyone knew who I was and this was going to cause quite a stir.
I also grabbed Kirill’s weapon, securing it in my purse.