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Chapter 33
Aurora
After we’ve grabbed a shirt for Alek, we head to the infirmary.
Abbie comes out of the dining hall just as we turn into the hallway and rushes to catch up with us.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“We’re taking a clean shirt to Alek,” I explain.
“He was shot in the shoulder,” Misha says, his eyes flicking to Abbie with an angry look. “He took a bullet for you.”
My head snaps to Misha, my mouth dropping open.
“He did what? Why?” Abbie gasps, a similar shocked expression on her face.
Just as we reach the doorway to the infirmary, Misha says, “You were supposed to die yesterday, and we stopped it. One of us had to take the bullet meant for you, and it was Alek.”
“Jesus,” she breathes before darting into the infirmary. “Get her the fuck out of my sight,” I hear Alek shout. We rush in after Abbie, but it’s too late.
Alek’s sitting on the side of a bed while a doctor digs the bullet out of his arm. The sight of his blood makes my stomach churn.
“Abbie,” I call out, but she wraps her arms around Alek’s neck and hugs him.
“I’m so sorry,” she cries. “Thank you.”
Alek shuts his eyes, and his tone is low and dangerous as he hisses, “Get the fuck off me.”
With a shove from Alek, Abbie staggers backward.
He looks her dead in the eye, then growl, “I took the bullet for Misha. The first opportunity I get, I will take the hit on you myself. You’re a fucking danger to us all.”
“Alek,” I whisper, scared at the hatred in his eyes. “Abbie, it’s best you leave,” Misha orders.
Worry and guilt tighten my friend’s features, and she hesitates for a moment. “You got shot because of me, and I’m really sorry that happened.” Her voice cracks over the words. She shakes her head, her features crumbling from the cruel situation we find ourselves in. “I…” She shakes her head again, then locks eyes with Alek. “I never asked for any of this. I hate that I’m being held responsible for what my father does and doesn’t do.”
Tears escape her eyes, and it has me walking to her. I wrap my arm around Abbie as she gives Alek a pleading look. “When you decide to take my life, just do it quickly. I don’t want to see it coming.”
“He’s not going to kill you,” Armani says as he steps forward. “Just give us some time to gather our thoughts. It’s been a rough couple of hours.”
Abbie nods, and as she turns around, she looks at Misha. “I’m really sorry.”
He nods at her. “I know. I’ll take care of everything.”
I go to him and give him a hug. “When you have time later, we can talk.
I’m going to give you some space.”
“I don’t want space from you,” he mutters. “I’ll be okay, Ra-Ra,” Abbie says. “Stay.”
I feel torn as Abbie walks out of the infirmary, but I have to stand by Misha’s side.
Somewhere during the past week, he’s become the most important person in my life. He’s my priority now.
Misha wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to his side. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, then keeps still as he takes a deep breath of my scent.
“Thank you,” he murmurs.
I nod as I press closer to him, then I look at Alek as the doctor stitches him up. He doesn’t even flinch, and there’s only anger on his face.
“Are you okay, Alek?” I ask with concern for him lacing my words.
His eyes flick to me before he takes a deep breath as if he’s trying to calm himself. “I’ll be fine.”
No, he isn’t.
Pulling away from Misha, I walk to the bed and sit down beside Alek.
Emotion pushes up my throat, and I can’t stop the tears as I turn my head to look at him.
Alek lets out a deep breath before he meets my eyes.
With my whole heart, I say, “You’re important to Misha, which means you’re important to me.” Taking a risk, I place my hand on top of his that’s resting on his thigh. “I care about you, and I’m so freaking thankful to you for taking the bullet that was meant for Misha.”
Alek looks uncomfortable as he pulls his hand away from mine. “I’d die for Misha. It’s not a secret.”
Slipping off the bed, the corner of my mouth lifts in a sad smile. “I just wanted you to know that I care about what happens to you, as well.”
Misha takes hold of my hand and pulls me back to his side. “Alek doesn’t do emotional moments.”
I stare at the man who means the world to Misha and wonder what horrible thing happened to him.
Alek surprises me by saying, “Thanks, Aurora.” As soon as the doctor is done patching him up, he gets up. Sighing, he mutters, “I won’t kill your friend.” He takes a step, then adds, “Unless she keeps annoying the fuck out of me. Then all bets are off.”
“I’ll talk to her,” I promise.
Misha’s eyes scan over his friend. “Will you be okay, or do I need to baby your ass?”
“Fuck off,” Alek chuckles. “I’m just going to grab something to eat, then I’m going to sleep until tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll stay with him,” Armani says. “Spend some time with Aurora. The two of you have a lot to talk about.”
We leave the infirmary, and where Armani and Alek head into the dining hall, we keep walking toward one of the side exits of the castle.
Only when we reach a bench near the path that leads to the waterfall does Misha stop. He gestures for me to sit down before getting comfortable next to me.
Taking a deep breath, I turn my body toward his and patiently wait for him to start talking.
“We disobeyed an order from Viktor when we stopped the hit on Abbie.” Misha leans forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. He shakes his head in disbelief. “The punishment is death.”
I blink a couple of times as the realization sours my blood. “But…that’s not going to happen? Right?”
Slowly, he nods. “Viktor showed us mercy. He shot Alek to punish me.” “I thought…wasn’t it for Abbie?”
“No, one of us had to take the bullet, and Viktor chose Alek because he knew it would hurt me.” Misha turns his head to look at me. “But up until
that moment, I thought I was going to die. There was no doubt in my mind.”
I inhale sharply as all the pieces fall into place. That’s why Misha was so different yesterday. He was saying goodbye to me.
God.
I suck in another breath before I launch myself at him. I hold him so tight, my heart breaking for what could’ve happened.
I almost lost Misha.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I whisper.
“I didn’t want you to worry until it was done.” He pulls me onto his lap, his arms steel bands around me. “I just wanted to love you as much as I could before my time was up.”
Pulling back so I can see his face, I frame his jaw with my palms and crash my mouth to his. I kiss him with every ounce of the unconditional love I feel for him. It’s desperate and emotional, and in this moment between us, something clicks into place. It carries the strength of a million men, the brightness of a thousand stars, and the depth of the deepest ocean.
I break the kiss, and staring deep into his eyes, I say, “I choose you, Misha.”
His features grow tense. “I choose you, Aurora.” Tenderly he tucks strands of hair behind my ear. “When I faced death, I thought only of you.” He shakes his head. “I can’t lose you, so I need you to prepare yourself for the worst. If your father doesn’t submit, I will kill him because if I don’t, it means you die, and that cannot happen.”
As much as it hurts to think of my father dying, I also understand it’s how our world works. My father knows that by defying the bratva and Italian mafia, he’s putting all our lives at risk.
I hope my dad will make peace with the bratva, and there will be a happy ending, but the odds of it happening don’t look good.
With nothing else to say, I whisper, “I trust you to do what’s best for us.” Taking a chance, I ask, “If it comes to the worst, is there any way we can protect Abbie?”
Misha nods, making relief fill my heart.
“I have to take out her father as well. If it comes to that, she has to submit to the bratva. Viktor will cancel the hit then.”
“Thank God,” I say, almost feeling lightheaded.
“We’ll get through this,” Misha promises. “Then we have to get married.”
A chuckle escapes me, and when I don’t protest, he tilts his head. “You’re okay with marrying me?”
I shrug. “I’ve always known there’s an arranged marriage in my future. I get you as my husband. That’s a win in my books.” A thought hits, and I quickly ask, “Are you okay with it?”
Misha gives me a look like I’ve lost my mind. “Does a bear shit in the woods?”
Laughter bursts from me. “Damn, you’re so romantic. My poor swooning heart.”
He tugs me closer until I’m plastered against his chest, then he grips my jaw and presses a hard kiss to my mouth. With his eyes burning into mine, he says, “I’d marry you today if I could. I want you as my wife, Aurora.”
We find a moment of happiness in the storm raging around us, and it gives me the strength to face what lies ahead of us.