by Harley Wylde
“Viktor.” Vadim’s voice, firm and commanding, made me glance his way. “Your wife needs a hospital. And I believe the doc does as well.”
I snarled at Artur and hit him again.
“Viktor!” Vadim said in a more biting tone. “I’ll handle Artur.”
I grabbed a white towel off a stack on a nearby table and wiped off my hands, then knelt beside Cerys. Her face was battered and bruised. I didn’t take the time to check her over, just lifted her into my arms and carried her from the room. I didn’t want her anywhere near Artur for a second more.
“Viktor,” she said softly. “You came for me.”
“Of course, myshka. I will always come for you.”
She smiled a little, then winced. Her lip was bleeding freely, as were a few other places that I could see. I put her in my car and on the drive to the hospital I called for an ambulance to assist the doctor. My priority was my wife. I owed the doc for telling me where to find her, and for obviously trying to help her, but Cerys came first. She would always come first. The moment I’d discovered she was missing, had seen the blood in my penthouse, I’d known that she meant more to me than I’d admitted even to myself.
She moaned as I came to a stop in front of the Emergency Room.
“Easy, myshka. You’ll be feeling better soon.”
I got out and lifted my wife into my arms again, this time not putting her down until a nurse was ready to take her back. I refused to leave her side. The last time I’d walked out on her, she’d nearly died. This time, I wouldn’t leave unless she was leaving with me.
“Mr. Petrov, we need to remove her clothes,” the nurse said, fear flashing in her eyes as she looked at me. I knew my reputation preceded me, but I’d do whatever it took for my Cerys to be well again.
“Do it. Whatever she needs, see that she gets it, but I’m not leaving.”
The nurse cast a glance behind me and I turned to see a doctor. His gaze locked with mine before turning to my wife. The way his features tightened, I knew he thought I was responsible for her wounds. I didn’t care what they thought of me, but I wouldn’t have them thinking Cerys was the type to stay in an abusive situation. She’d endured it with her father because she’d had no other options. He’d made sure of that.
“My wife was kidnapped,” I said. “She hasn’t spoken much since I found her. I don’t know what…”
My throat grew tight. When I’d found her, her clothes had been torn, but were mostly in place. I didn’t think she’d been violated, but I couldn’t be certain. The thought of Artur doing that to her tore me up inside. My Cerys was sweet, and despite everything, had an innocence about her that I hoped she never lost.
I fastened my gaze on hers, even though she didn’t know I was looking at her, and she lifted her hand, reaching for me. I went to her side and took her smaller hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“He didn’t hurt me that way, Viktor. He and his daughter hit me and kicked me.”
There was a flicker in her eyes and I knew she was holding something back. He hadn’t violated her, but something had happened, more than just hitting and kicking. I’d find out what, if not from her, then from Artur himself. I’d do whatever it took to make an example of him, ensure that no one came for my wife ever again, not if they wanted to live.
“Before we get started, is there any chance you’re pregnant, Mrs. Petrov?” the doctor asked.
Cerys brow furrowed.
“We’ve only been married two days, but yes, it’s possible she could be pregnant. We didn’t use protection,” I said.
The doctor hummed and made a note on the tablet in his hands. “Too early to tell then, but we’ll take the proper precautions. Mrs. Petrov, we need to get you into a hospital gown. The police will also want documentation of your wounds.”
“Documentation?” she asked.
“Photos,” said the nurse, “but I’ll take them.”
Cerys paled and I could tell she didn’t like the thought of someone taking pictures of her. She wouldn’t be able to see what they were doing, and while she wouldn’t admit it, I knew it made her feel vulnerable. These were medical professionals and were here to help her, but she couldn’t see the kindness and worry in the nurse’s eyes, or the glares the doctor had cast my way when he’d thought I was responsible for her current state.
“My wife is blind,” I said. “You’ll have to give her verbal instructions for anything you need. She won’t see your gestures.”
Sympathy crossed the nurse’s face, as well as the doctor’s, but I knew Cerys would hate that. If I’d learned anything about my wife, it was that she hated feeling like a burden. She didn’t want pity. She just wanted to be considered normal.
“I’m not leaving her side,” I said. “I left her earlier and she was taken from our home. A place she should have been safe. I’m not taking that chance again.”
“The police will want to speak with you both,” the doctor said.
I snorted. Not likely. Once the police knew who the victim was, they’d back off and let me handle this my way. Artur was already safely tucked away, waiting for his punishment. The police would never find him, not that they ever looked very hard at that part of town. They knew that side of town belonged to the Bratva. Nothing happened there without our permission, and if someone did cross that line, they were dealt with.
It bothered me that I hadn’t even known about Cerys before entering her father’s home that day. It hadn’t been my first trip to her street. While I didn’t go there for social visits, I did pick up chatter here and there, usually when people didn’t realize I was lurking in the shadows. With the way her clothes had left little to the imagination, I would have thought at least the men would have let a comment or two slip. Not one soul had ever mentioned the blind woman, and her father had never said he had a daughter. Not until he was staring death in the face. Even then, I wondered how long it would have taken him to tell us about Cerys if she hadn’t come tumbling into the room.
The doctor stepped out of the room and I helped the nurse remove Cerys’ clothing. Although, after the first cry of pain as she shifted, I decided to spare her the agony of taking anything off. Pulling a knife from my pants pocket, I sliced her clothes from her body.
“Easy, myshka. Don’t move unless you have to. I’m sure you’ll get something for the pain soon.”
The nurse made a noise and I glanced over. Her pained gaze held mine.
“I need pictures.”
I looked down at my naked wife, noting the dark bruising along her ribs, abdomen, hips, and legs. Although, the ones on her hips could very well be from me, or at least some of them. The ones from her father had started to yellow and were easily distinguished from the new ones. I wondered if there were more on her back, but I wouldn’t ask her to turn over and show me until it was necessary. It made my gut clench when I saw the finger marks on her breast. I might have been a little rough before, but I knew those weren’t from me. There would be a picture of that as well, something that other men would see. Even if they wouldn’t look at her sexually, I couldn’t contain my snarl of fury at the thought of other men seeing what was mine, and knowing she would feel humiliated over anyone seeing her like this. Hadn’t she been through enough already?
The nurse lifted the camera to take a picture of the bruised breast, but I shoved the camera away.
“No. You’ve taken enough.”
“Mr. Petrov, I have to take a picture of everything.”
I growled and let her see the real Viktor Petrov, the one everyone feared. “No. You. Don’t.”
She gave a jerky nod and I gently eased Cerys onto her side, holding her as she cried. There was more bruising all down her back, but I limited the area the nurse could see, drawing the gown over Cerys’ hips and covering her from her waist to her upper thighs. The nurse wasn’t pleased judging by her pinched lips, but I didn’t give a shit. When the nurse walked out, I helped Cerys into the hospital gown and tried to make her comfortab
le. It pissed me off that she hadn’t been given anything for pain, but I understood they needed to run tests first.
“Viktor,” she called softly.
I took Cerys’ hand and lifted it to my lips, kissing it. “Yes, myshka.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what? You did nothing wrong. None of this is your fault.”
Her eyes turned glassy and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I tried to get away. If I could have seen him, maybe it would have been easier. I didn’t know where to hit or kick, but I tried to fight back.”
I brushed my lips against her forehead. “You did well. I’m proud of you, Cerys. You didn’t let him break you, and when help arrived, you made sure they called me. You did the right thing, myshka. I should have protected you better.”
“I want to go home, Viktor.”
“Soon.”
She took a shuddering breath as the doctor came in. He looked down at our joined hands, then focused on Cerys a moment. I could feel her trembling and wished there was a way I could soothe her. I didn’t know what she needed from me. Until her, I’d never given women much thought. I’d bend them over, fuck them, then shove them out the door.
“We need to do a blood test to ensure they didn’t give her any drugs at any point, then we’ll need a CT scan. If your wife is pregnant, there’s a slight risk to the baby during that procedure, but we need to rule out any internal damage from the beating she received. I’d also like an MRI since she mentioned them hitting and kicking her face and head. She’s responsive, but I don’t want to take any chances of a brain bleed or swelling.” The doctor tapped on his tablet. “Once we get those results, we’ll be able to decide where to go from there. I don’t want to give her medication until I know what’s going on internally.”
Cerys squeezed my hand.
“Mr. Petrov, there are some people in the waiting area who asked to speak with you. If you would prefer to remain with your wife, I can tell them they need to wait.” The doctor held his gaze. “One of them is Maksim Koslov.”
I ran a hand through my hair and looked down at Cerys. I didn’t want to leave her, but I needed to know if Maksim had news of Artur or his daughter. I hoped that Vadim had given him an update, if he wasn’t still occupied with making a bloody mess of Artur. Cerys had said the bitch had joined in on the beating, and I would ensure that she paid the price for harming my wife.
“Go, Viktor. I’ll be okay,” Cerys said. The slight tremor in her voice belied her nerves over being left alone.
I focused on the doctor. “Anything happens to her, I will hold you personally responsible. Understood?”
He nodded.
Leaning down, I kissed Cerys gently on the lips. “I’ll return soon, my myshka. I’m not leaving the hospital, only stepping outside to have a chat with Maksim.”
She released my hand and I walked away before I changed my mind. I didn’t turn to look at her. If she’d look scared or lost, I wouldn’t have been able to keep going. I’d have turned around and stayed with her. Maksim wouldn’t ask to speak to me unless it was important, and in the event my wife was still in danger, I needed to hear him out.
He was easy to find in the waiting room, along with Nikolai and Aleksi. The tension in their bodies alerted me to the fact something was wrong, other than my wife being in the hospital. I gave a nod toward the outer doors and Maksim followed. I waved a hand at Nikolai and Aleksi, wanting them to remain in the hospital in case Cerys needed anything.
“What couldn’t wait until I knew if my wife would be all right?” I asked as we cleared the building and moved off to the side.
“Artur’s daughter is missing. I sent men to pick her up and not only was she gone, but all her things were as well. Checked the airports, train stations, and even the bus stations. She’s not a passenger for any mode of transportation leaving town.”
“Did you see if Artur’s car was missing?”
“We’ll find her, Viktor.” Maksim raked a hand through his hair. “There’s something else. Vadim said that he’s lifting your probation. You’re in charge again, so we need orders, Viktor.”
I sighed and looked up at the sky, trying to figure out where Tania Orlov would go if she were on the run. Once I put the word out, no one in the organization would aid her. My sweet myshka may believe that Tania had been shaped into a monster from what her father had done, that she had a reason for harming my wife, but I knew different. That spoiled, entitled woman was used to getting what she wanted. If she saw me as hers, then she’d do anything to keep me. Didn’t matter that I’d never had an interest in her. Tania wouldn’t care.
“Reach out to everyone, here in the US and home in Russia. Anyone who gives her sanctuary will be punished accordingly. She’s to be brought to me, and I don’t care what condition she’s in as long as she’s breathing.”
Maksim nodded. “Very well. I’ll see that it’s done. And Nikolai? Aleksi?”
“I want Aleksi to remain here as extra security for Cerys. I need Nikolai to go to my penthouse and see that it’s cleaned. Or send Feliks. I don’t care who handles it, but I don’t want any reminders of what Cerys suffered when I take her home. Fuck. Just… get rid of everything. Bring in new furniture, repaint the fucking walls. I don’t care. Do whatever it takes to make the place look completely different.”
“Do you think she’ll be here long enough for all that?” Maksim asked.
“We’ll go to a hotel for a few nights. I want twenty-four-hour security for her. Even when we return home, I’ll need to increase security. Artur should have never been able to take her from my home.”
Maksim tipped his head to the side. “This is more than you protecting an asset, isn’t it? You’re starting to actually care for her.”
I waved a hand. I didn’t matter why I was doing all this. It needed to be done, and that was that. I wouldn’t discuss my feelings for Cerys with anyone other than her. It shouldn’t make a difference if I cared for her or not. She was my wife and would need protection.
Maksim started to walk off but paused, not even turning to face me. “You know, loving someone doesn’t make you weak, Viktor. From what you’ve said, your Cerys is different from the other wives in the Bratva. She isn’t after power or money. All she seems to want or need is you, Viktor. Don’t be afraid to let her in.”
Without another word, he left. I remained outside a moment, gathering my thoughts, then called Vadim. I needed to know that Artur was secured, and tell him that Tania was missing. I doubted she’d try to free her father, but anything was possible. The Vor needed to be prepared just in case.
“I’m busy, Viktor,” Vadim said when he answered.
“Tania has disappeared.”
He cursed and I could hear him pacing. “I’ll send men after her. How’s your wife?”
“They need to run tests. I don’t know anything yet, but she’s awake and talking to me. That has to be a good sign, right?”
Vadim was quiet a moment. “I know you want to handle Artur, set an example for anyone who comes for your family, but, Viktor, you need to focus on your wife and let me handle this. I promise that he’ll suffer greatly, and I will make it known that any who harm your wife will suffer the same fate.”
He was asking a lot. It was my right to exact justice for what Artur had done to Cerys. I could have lost her! A throat cleared behind me and I turned to see Nikolai waiting. The tension bracketing his mouth said that whatever news he had, it wasn’t good. Vadim was right. Cerys needed to be my priority. If that meant remaining with her and letting someone else punish Artur, then so be it.
“Do it,” I said. “But I want proof.”
“Done. Go, Viktor. Once all this is over and your wife is on the mend, I’d very much like to meet her.”
I ended the call and waited for Nikolai to gather his words. He seldom said anything he hadn’t rehearsed in his head in various different ways, analyzing the outcome of each. It could be maddening.
“Tell me, Nikolai.”
“They already took her for testing. The doctor refused to let either of us go with her.”
Which meant she was alone, and Tania was on the loose. I went back into the hospital, not even stopping at the desk. I went up to the first doctor I saw and demanded to be taken to my wife.
“Mr. Petrov,” a voice called across the waiting room.
I snarled as I faced the nurse hurrying toward me. I didn’t have time for this shit! I needed to see my wife, to be there for her. She was alone, and I didn’t like it. What if Tania came here? What if she made it past security and tried to hurt Cerys again?
“Sir, it’s your wife.” The nurse was wringing her hands as she stopped in front of me. “I’m sorry, but we think she’s having a miscarriage. It’s too soon to know for sure. This early it can resemble a regular menstrual cycle. She also has a concussion, but we haven’t been able to run further tests.”
It felt like someone had punched me in the gut. Cerys was losing our baby? She’d been pregnant when Artur took her?
“Take me to her,” I said softly. “I need to see my wife.”
As I followed the nurse, I tried to prepare myself. I didn’t know how Cerys would feel about this, or what she’d been told. Whatever my myshka needed, I’d see that she got it. And as soon as we were alone, I’d tell her exactly how I felt. Maksim was right. If I waited, pretended that she was like every other Bratva wife, then I could lose out on something special.
I’d just promised to let Vadim handle Artur, but now I was second-guessing that decision. He’d cost me more than I’d realized. Not only had he kidnapped and beat my woman, but he’d quite possibly killed our child. What I’d done to Humes would pale in comparison to the hell I wanted to rain down on Artur Orlov. I quickly shot off a text to Vadim. Leave some for me.