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Viktor smiles a few inches from my face. He seems tired yet in control. “Nothing will change. Even if Roman can’t attend, he’ll watch on the video feed.”
“I love Bear,” I whisper as if sharing a secret.
My father offers a tender smile. I’ve rarely seen him so unguarded.
I close my eyes without thinking. I don’t know how much time passes. When I open them and try to change positions, I hear a familiar growly voice.
“Be careful with your tubes,” Bear warns.
My gaze struggles to zero in on everything in the room. Finally, I focus on Bear’s handsome face.
“Did you get hurt?” I ask and try to reach for him.
My hand doesn’t move much, while Bear erases the space between us. He holds my hand against his jaw and stares at me like he’s desperate for reassurance.
“Well, did you get hurt?” I ask, and he frowns.
“Just my heart.” When my gaze focuses on his bandaged bicep, he shrugs. “A few bullets nicked me. Only flesh wounds. I nearly forgot to get them taken care of when I got to the hospital. They’re nothing.”
“I’ll kiss your boo-boos the next time we’re naked.”
Bear offers a little smile. “Are you in pain?”
“Am I injured?”
“You’re suffering from a concussion, hypothermia, bruised ribs, lots of cuts and bruises. The professionals claim you’ll be okay.”
I suddenly notice the sun filtering through the thick, hospital curtains. Blinking wildly, I scan the room.
“Where are my parents?”
“They’re checking on Petra and Roman. If I understand correctly, you and Petra are going home. Roman will need a few more days in the hospital.”
“Are Leon and Maks okay?”
“Yeah, they fucked up the enemy. We’ve rounded up all the assholes. The threat is over.”
I try to smile but fail. “Are your brothers okay?”
“Sync took bullets to the shoulder and thigh.”
“Is everyone else okay?” I ask and think of the driver.
“Some of your security didn’t make it. Several civilians were killed. A few of our guys got banged up. Two others got fucked up like Sync. A bunch ended up with flesh wounds like me. One guy lost his earlobe. For the number of bullets flying, it’s shocking how few people got killed. Even the assholes had a bunch survive. We caught a dozen on their way out of town. A few others ended up at the hospital.”
I don’t ask who attacked us. The why doesn’t matter to me. Violent men will learn the answers and impose their revenge.
“How are our babies?”
“Siobhan went over to see them earlier. She explained how you had an accident. They were scared when you weren’t home when they woke up. She said they cried, but she also sent this,” he explains and shows me a video of Siobhan holding a kite near the back patio. The kids are jumping around her, clapping about the Big Bird face staring down at them.
Tears burn my battered skin. I watch the video three times before I stare at Bear.
“I love you,” he says, revealing raw pain. “I thought you were dead, Natasha. I had lost all hope once I saw your SUV go through the guardrail and in the water. Who would think you could have survived? I still worry I’m cracked in the head and this is all a fantasy.”
Bear is spiraling in his fear and pain. As much as it hurts to be the one in the midst of the violence, standing outside it and watching others suffer can be worse.
“I love you, Bear,” I say and squeeze his hand. “We got lost in the chaos last night, but we found our way back together. I believe we always will.”
