Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“I understand,” I rasped. I pushed open the door and got out, tugging my bag with me. He peeled out of the lot, heading back the way we’d come. I turned for the office, and Rurik’s car had just disappeared from site when a bullet pierced my shoulder. I stumbled and fell on my ass before rolling behind another car, gasping for pain, my good hand flying up to clasp my shoulder, which was pulsing with pain and bleeding profusely.
Blood flowed down my arm like a river. I gritted my teeth, pressing my hand tighter to the wound as I listened for anyone. Any sign that someone was near—footsteps, breathing, something.
But it was eerily silent. Which meant the shot hadn’t come from very close by. It was done by someone with a long-range rifle.
A sniper.
Fuck.
If I moved, I would no doubt be dead.
Gritting my teeth, I sat still, forcing my breathing to slow. And I stayed just where I was until the sun began to rise over the trees, bleeding into the world with colors of red, pink, and orange. Then, I took my chances and pulled the burner phone out to call a cab.
I wasn’t safe here, and I certainly wouldn’t be safe on that plane. While I didn’t think Rurik had anything to do with the gunshot wound I’d received, I wouldn’t take my chances.
I needed to get to Alfonzo because in my gut, I knew he’d never harm me—not where it mattered. And I knew with every fiber of my being that he’d protect me.
Googling—which was difficult since I hadn’t used a fucking flip phone in ages—the local taxi company, I typed the number in, then hit dial.
I just had to live long enough to get to Alfonzo, and he’d take over everything from there.
Chapter Eleven
Alfonzo
Without bothering to knock first, Niran pushed open my office door and held out his tablet to me without offering a single word of explanation. Grunting, I tossed my pen down on my desk and took the tablet from him, glancing down at it. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him what the fuck he was bothering me about security issues for since it was his job when I saw it. Saw him.
My boy shakily walking up the driveway to the house, swaying on his feet. He was holding his shoulder and bleeding too goddamn much. Blood soaked his shirt completely on one side. How the fuck was he still alive?
“Fuck,” I snarled, shoving back from my desk. I dropped Niran’s tablet on the wooden tabletop and hurried around him, breaking into a run once I exited my office. Rico shouted something after me when I rushed past his office, but I ignored him. Protecting Maksim would more than likely get me an ass chewing, but nothing more than that. I knew Rico well enough to know he’d let me keep him if I was so attached.
Even if he hated the Russians with every bone in his body.
I yanked open the front door, then hurried outside. Maksim’s eyes clashed with mine just as he dropped to one knee. I didn’t hear his voice, but I saw his lips mouth my name. I ran down the steps, catching him in my arms as I slid to my knees in front of him. Lightly tapping his cheek, I forced his eyes to focus on mine. “Maksim, hey. Focus on me, mouse.”
“Blood loss,” he managed. His face was so pale. Too fucking pale. How long had he been fucking bleeding? He was covered in the red substance. Some of it was dried, but a lot of it was still wet and warm. He needed medical attention immediately.
I swept him up into my arms despite his protests about being heavy and hurried toward the house. Rico was standing by the open door, his jaw clenched tightly. He narrowed his eyes at me. “We need to talk,” he growled.
“Once he’s received medical attention,” I told him. “Not a moment fucking sooner. He’s not dying today.”
I hurried past Rico and down the hall where our security personal stayed, which was where the infirmary was. When I got into the room, the doctor looked up at me from behind his wire-rimmed glasses, and his eyes widened in surprise. Clearly, he was confused. I could see the questions glimmering in his eyes. We only helped family, but Maksim was mine. I didn’t give a fuck how Rico or anyone else felt about it—Maksim was getting the help he needed today.
“Alfonzo,” he greeted, quickly standing from his seat. He pushed his blonde hair back from his face. “What can I do for you?”
“He needs help,” I growled through clenched teeth. “His name is Maksim. I don’t know what happened, but he’s bleeding.”
I gently laid Maksim on the table. He frowned up at me but didn’t bother opening his mouth. He just slowly turned his head to watch Nicholas, also known as Dr. Allman, don a pair of gloves. “I need his jacket off,” Nicholas told me, falling into his role as the family doctor easily.