Page 84 of Born into Chaos

“She’ll be fine,” my mom tells me, already lightly bouncing a smiling Samantha. “We’ll take good care of her. Your brother’s on his way with the others.” She reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze. “You’re not alone, Sveta. We’re going to get through this together.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I turn and follow Dominic down the hall before I can start crying again. Vitya’s counting on me to be strong, and I don’t want to let him down. When he wakes up, he’s going to find me right next to him, not huddled on the floor in the fetal position.

Dominic and I head downstairs. Years ago, he had this place outfitted for Dr. Bianchi, and he spared no expense. It could easily rival the best operating room in any hospital in the city, and he’s put it to good use, saving our men’s lives over and over again. He’s a brilliant surgeon, and after years of one-on-one training, Tony is right there with him. I know Vitya is in good hands. If anyone can save him, it’s those two.

We walk past the shut doors of the operating room, and the urge to throw them open and run in is strong. Dominic must sense it becausehe grabs my arm and leads me to the room across the hall. It’s been set up as a comfortable place to wait, but as inviting as the couch looks, I know I won’t be able to sit still long enough to enjoy it.

“Are you hungry or thirsty? I can bring you down some food or make you some coffee.” He gestures to the machine in the corner. “Espresso?”

“I’m fine, Dominic. Thanks.” I know he’s anxious to get back to Natalya, so I pat his arm and say, “Go back upstairs to her. I’ll be fine.”

He hesitates, so I add, “My brother and uncles will be here soon, and I could use some time to myself before they all decide they need to stay glued to my ass.”

He gives me a hint of a smile before reaching out to squeeze my shoulder. “Dr. Bianchi is the best there is. If anyone can work a miracle, it’s him.”

I nod while glancing to the door across the hallway. “Thanks, Dominic. I knew convincing Natalya to sneak out two years ago was a good idea.”

He smiles and points a finger at me. “And I told you it was a stupid idea and I would’ve married her anyway.”

I smile back, fighting the tears that want to come, willing myself to hold it together until after he leaves. Sensing I’m about to break and that I’d rather do it alone, he gives my shoulder a comforting squeeze and then does me the kindness of walking away. As soon as I can no longer hear his footsteps, I collapse onto the ground as all my strength leaves me and then cry like I never have before.

It’s Max who finds me sniffling and shaking on the floor. Without a word, he scoops me up into his arms and carries me to the couch. I curl up in his lap and rest my head on his shoulder while he wraps me in a big bear hug. He’s like a brother to me, and there’s nothing sexual about his touch. He’s just offering me comfort that I desperately need.

He shifts beneath me, digging something out of his pocket and then a few seconds later he’s gently pushing an earbud into my ear. Soon there’s a beautiful melody playing in my ear. It’s haunting and sad andso unbelievably gorgeous. It captures exactly how I’m feeling right now, but underneath the sad-sounding notes, there’s something hopeful in it.

“What do you think? It’s my latest composition.”

“It’s so beautiful, Max.”

“Not too sad?”

I shake my head against his shoulder. “It’s perfect. Hauntingly beautiful.”

“Thanks, Sveta.”

He keeps one earbud while I keep the other and together we listen to the song he created. I close my eyes, letting the music take me somewhere else. I haven’t slept much, and the last time I ate was with Vitya the night Samantha and I were taken, so it doesn’t take much for the exhaustion to overtake me. When I wake, my body jolts to attention while my sluggish brain tries to catch up.

“Vitya,” I yell, cursing my inability to stay awake.

Max must’ve laid me on the couch before he left because it’s my Uncle Matvey’s scarred voice that says, “It’s all right. He’s still in surgery.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

I sit up while he checks his watch. “Three hours.”

Scrubbing my eyes, I feel the dread start to sink in again, threatening to consume me. “It’s taking too long. That can’t be a good sign.”

“It’s a very good sign,” my Uncle Matvey corrects. “He’s fighting, Sveta. He’s not giving up.”

I whisper in a shaky voice, “He always was stubborn.”

My Uncle Matvey raises a dark brow at me. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

Meeting his dark eyes, I ask, “How mad is my dad about this?”

He sighs and leans back in the chair he’s sitting in, interlacing his fingers behind his head and looking like he hasn’t slept in days. “At you? Not at all. He could never be mad at you, Sveta. You should know that by now with all the shit you’ve pulled over the years.” He’s smiling while he says it, probably remembering all my shenanigans.

“In my defense, I’ve only ever done silly, harmless things.” I wave ahand, implying the mess I’ve currently found my ass in. “Until now, of course.”

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