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And if he can wake up, then everything is going to be okay.

I hold his hand between both of mine, and I wait. For a squeeze, a movement, even a scratch from his fingernail, and nothing happens.

People wake up from comas, right?

No, Lana. They don’t.

You have put some people in a coma, and no one made it out alive. A gunshot wound by a civilian isn’t precise; by a professional it is.

“I'm here,” I whisper. My voice cracks slightly, but I ignore it. I can control my voice; the tears I cannot.

“I’m right here.” I haven’t been this desperate since my father was killed in front of my eyes.

Emin’s fingers don’t move, and I quietly make my peace with it. That peace comes with a price—revenge.

If my team had just listened to me, these events wouldn’t have occurred.

If men had just put aside their pride, my best friend would have been awake.

I let go of Emin’s hand and wipe away my tears before I cross my arms. My tongue licks my teeth as I plan what to do next.

The desperate Lana is gone, and the stone-cold assassin everyone is afraid of takes over.

“Ms. Osmanovic?”

“Yes?” I ask coldly.

“You can stay here, but do know that this might take a long time. He’ll be closely monitored. Being here every second will not change what happens next. You need to take care of yourself as well.”

“Fine. You’ll update me when you have something.”

That wasn’t a question, and Isa knows it.

But he can hold his own. Good.

“We definitely will. Do you need a nurse or a doctor to walk you out?”

“No. I’ll hear you once you have more information. Thank you, Dr. Hadzic.”

I look at Emin one last time and make a silent vow before I leave.

The person who did this to you will pay with his life.

Dario, I am fucking coming for you.

Chapter twenty-five

Lana

Idecide against waking everyone up the second I enter my estate due to my body odor. Once I was under that shower head, my body relaxed into the steam, and I rest my head against the tiles.

“Both hands on the tiles.”

Fuck you, Noa.

My core is burning, and there is no one there to take care of it. That thought scares me as I didn’t want anyone else other than Noa. There is one caveat to our non-existent relationship right now—we hate each other, and the trust between us is gone. And with that thought, I go to nap as it’s the crack of dawn and I haven’t slept the entire night.

Noa’s smile put me to sleep.