CHAPTER 28
Anastasia
Leaning against Rodian, I grip his hand tightly. We’ve been waiting forever, every passing minute feeling heavier than the last.
Right after Rodian returned, the other heads in the alliance said goodbye and left. I think it’s amazing that the group of men support each other.
Suddenly, a thought pops into my head, and I glance up at him. “Did you call Andrei’s family?”
He rubs his thumb over my skin as he answers, “We are his only family.”
Just as Katya comes back from buying a bunch of coffees at the cafeteria, a doctor walks toward us while pulling off a hairnet.
Rodian shoots to his feet and I scramble after him.
“Andrei Dragun’s sem?ya?”
“Da. Rodian Volkov,” he replies.
The doctor checks a chart before rattling off a string of words I don’t understand. I nervously fidget, unable to tell from Rodian’s stern expression if the news is good or bad.
He takes hold of my hand, and we walk fast as we follow the doctor, then he murmurs, “The doctor says it’s too early to know the full extent of the damage to Andrei’s eye, and that he could lose vision in it.
They’ve stabilized him, but he’s in critical condition, so we can only see him for five minutes. ”
“So he’ll be okay?” I ask.
Rodian exhales a heavy breath. “If he makes it through the next forty-eight hours, he should recover.”
We stop outside a set of double doors and disinfect our hands before we’re allowed into a ward that’s filled with an ungodly amount of noise. Alarms, beeps, suction sounds, and Lord only knows what else, come from every bed as we’re taken to where Andrei is.
Seeing the man who’s been a quiet force at Rodian’s side covered in bandages with a sheet barely pulled over his pelvis, my heart breaks in two.
“Andrei,” I whimper as I carefully take hold of his hand that feels surprisingly hot.
Rodian leans over him and says, “I’ve killed the fuckers. All you have to do is rest and heal, moy brat.” I’ve never seen Rodian as vulnerable as he looks when he presses a kiss to Andrei’s hair. “Don’t give up the fight. I need you.”
My chin quivers as tears blur my sight, but I manage to keep it together until Rodian whispers, “I love you.”
Andrei’s fingers stir in my hold, and I say, “He moved!”
Just then he opens his right eye a crack, but he looks completely out of it as he stares at Rodian.
“I’m here, brat. You’re doing so great. I’m fucking proud of you.”
Andrei’s fingers curl around mine, and it has me inching closer and smiling through the tears. “Just get better, okay?”
Slowly he nods, and his tone is hoarse as he mumbles, “Sokolov… dead?”
“Yes.” Rodian carefully brushes his palm over Andrei’s hair. “I repaid the favor and carved his face up before gutting his throat.”
“Goooood…” The word hisses from Andrei before he drifts off again.
I notice a nurse coming toward us and say, “I think our time is up.”
Rodian presses another kiss to Andrei’s head. “I’ll be back.”
I gently set Andrei’s hand down before I leave the ward with Rodian.
As we walk down the hallway, I ask, “What do we do now?”
“Sergei is going to take you home so you can get some sleep.”
My gaze lifts to Rodian’s face. “And you?”
“I’m not leaving the hospital until Andrei is out of danger.”
“But –”
He shakes his head hard. “Don’t argue with me. It’s been a long day. I need to stay close to Andrei.”
“Okay.” My teeth worry my bottom lip, then I say, “I’ll bring you a home-cooked meal and clean clothes.”
“Thank you, moya krasavitsa.” He pulls me to a stop and leans down to give me a tender kiss. “Also bring a pair of my pajamas and extra toiletries for Andrei.”
I nod while hugging him and don’t let go as he tells Sergei, “Andrei is still critical, but we spoke, and that gives me hope that he’ll be okay.”
Sergei chuckles. “If he woke up to talk, he’s fine.”
“Take Anastasia home so she can rest,” he orders, then he adds, “Maybe you and Katya should stay in one of the guest rooms at my place for the next couple of days.”
“Of course,” Sergei agrees. “I’ll guard your family with my life. Don’t worry about them and just focus on Andrei.”
I kiss Rodian again before I pull away, and as I walk to the entrance, Katya wraps her arm around my lower back.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
Nodding, I sigh, “As okay as I can be.” A smile curves my lips as I look at her. “Thank you for today.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Friends stick together through thick and thin.”
Friends.
Giving her a sideways hug, I murmur, “Yeah, we do. By the way, I’m taking all your support as payment for the dress you want.”
Sergei drives us home, but before he’s even halfway, I drift off to sleep.
Rodian
“I’m going to kill you,” I growl at the stubborn fucker, as he once a-fucking-gain gets out of bed.
“Well, it’s either you or lying in this fucking room,” he mutters. “I’m taking my chances and leaving.”
“Oh, my God!” Anastasia gasps as she comes into the private hospital room. “Andrei Nikita Dragun, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I hate that you learned my full name,” he complains.
“I don’t care. Get back in bed right this instant!” my wife snaps, going all mom-mode on my best friend.
I have to admit, I love it, especially because he never argues with her and always listens to what she says.
“This is fucking torture.” He sits down on the side of the bed, his shoulders slumping and his breathing labored from the exercise.
I’d lose my mind too if I had to stay in this room.
“I’ll speak with Dr. Kravets. Maybe we can move you to the estate, and he can give you private care.”
Andrei’s head snaps up, hope filling his right eye. “I’d appreciate that a lot.”
“I’ll help take care of you,” Anastasia says as she gently nudges his uninjured shoulder. “Lie back. Your color doesn’t look good at all.”
“Make a fuss over your husband. I’m fine.”
She levels him with a scowl, which has him letting out a heavy sigh while he lies down.
“Christ, if this is what it’s like having a mother, I’m glad I dodged that bullet growing up.”
“You’re a pain in the ass patient,” she replies. “I pity the woman who ends up marrying you.”
“I’m never getting married. Your complaining is enough to last me a lifetime.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I watch how they go at each other like siblings.
“Instead of enjoying this, phone the fucking doctor!” he raises his voice at me, telling me he’s in a fuck ton of pain again.
Anastasia quickly hurries out of the room, probably to get a nurse so he can receive painkillers.
Pulling my phone out, I dial Dr. Kravets’ number.
“Yes, sir. How can I help?”
“Andrei wants to go home. Can you get him released into your care? You can treat him further at the estate.”
“I’ll go to my place,” Andrei mutters, but I ignore him.
“Of course, sir,” Dr. Kravets replies. “I’ll arrange for a live-in nurse as well. Give me an hour, and I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
“Thank you.”
Anastasia returns with one of the nurses, and when Andrei doesn’t argue as she prepares a syringe of medication to inject into his IV, it only confirms that he’s in a fuck-ton of pain.
“You’ll feel better soon,” my wife coos as she begins to caress his hair. “Try to get some sleep.”
Andrei closes his eye, and within seconds he drifts off.
“Dr. Kravets agreed to move Andrei to the estate. Will you really be okay taking care of his grumpy ass?” I whisper, taking a seat on the couch that’s near the window.
“Yes. I don’t mind at all,” she replies quietly while coming to sit beside me. Letting out a sigh, she narrows her eyes at me. “I’ve changed my mind about having kids. One is enough for me.”
My chest shakes as I chuckle, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “You’re great with him, though.” My gaze softens on her. “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” She lifts her hand and rests her palm against my jaw. “Andrei didn’t hesitate to protect me, even though they came after him.” Glancing at the bed, she adds, “Plus, he’s family. What kind of wife would I be if I don’t take care of your brother?”
“I’m lucky to have you,” I murmur before pressing my mouth to her temple.
Leaning into each other, we both drift in and out of sleep, tired from the long hours of watching over Andrei the past week.
When I hear footsteps, the sleepiness vanishes, and I quickly get up, moving to stand by the foot of the bed.
It’s a protective move I have zero control over.
Dr. Kravets comes in, accompanied by Dr. Ivanov who doesn’t look too happy.
I watch as the men look at Andrei’s medical chart, exchanging a few words, then Dr. Kravets signs a bunch of documents.
“Like I’ve told Dr. Kravets, I do not agree with you moving the patient. You have to understand the dangers –”
I hold up my hand. “Save me the speech. I’m taking Andrei home where he’ll receive the best private care. His mental wellbeing is just as important as the physical, and right now he’s losing his mind.”
The doctor shakes his head, his lips turned down, but then he says, “Please don’t hesitate to bring him back should his condition worsen.”
“Of course. Thank you for all you’ve done. It’s appreciated.”
When he leaves, I turn my attention to Dr. Kravets. “What happens now?”
“There’s an ambulance waiting to transport Mr. Dragun.”
“Give me fifteen minutes,” I say while I walk to the door, and glacing up and down the hallway, I catch Sergei’s attention where he’s leaning against the wall.
“Is everything okay?” he asks as he jogs closer.
“Yes. Arrange for a group of men to come to the hospital. We’re taking Andrei home, and I want him heavily guarded. Nothing can go wrong.”
“On it. I’ll let you know when they’re here,” he replies while pulling out his phone to make the calls.
When I step back into the private room, Dr. Kravets says, “A nurse will take care of Mr. Dragun during the night, while I check on him three times during the day. Will that be okay?”
“No,” Andrei grumbles from the bed. “No nurse. Only Anastasia.”
I gesture at Anastasia as she flies to her feet and hurries to Andrei’s side.
“I would appreciate it a lot if you could show my wife how to take care of Andrei. He’s not the easiest patient, but he listens to her.”
Worry flashes across the doctor’s face. “She isn’t trained. At least for the next week, let a nurse see to his wounds.”
“I will fucking shoot whatever nurse comes close to me,” my friend threatens, being impossible.
“Dr. Kravets,” Anastasia says with a firm tone. “You’ll take care of cleaning his wounds when you check on him during the day. Surely, I can watch over him at night?”
The doctor relents and nods, and I begin to wonder if my wife has some magical power I’m not aware of.
“I should make you the pakhan,” I tell her. “No one fucking listens to me.”
Andrei begins to chuckle, but instantly stops, and when pain tightens the lines by his right eye, Anastasia brushes her hand over his hair and fusses like a mother hen.
Iisus Khristos, my best friend can be glad I love him. It’s going to be a long couple of weeks.