Page 123 of Deadly Knight

Considering Ivan was behind it all, it shouldn’t be surprising, but it sickens me to think about how many people may have watched it over the years. The fact Ivan had an ongoing reminder of that night. Of having my trauma laid out for others’ sick thrills.

Dimitri saved me today, just as he did in the past. The only thing that kept me from crumbling amidst the rubble ofmy broken walls was Dimitri himself, and the fact he needed me more. The sight of him beaten inside the cell propelled me past the TV, tuning out the unfortunately familiar sounds until Anastasia managed to yank the plug from the wall and kill the stream for good.

When Dimitri lifted his head, animalistic and apparently confused over what was past versus present, I almost burst into tears.

One eye is nearly swollen shut while his other is badly bruised. His face is a mottled black and blue with cuts and blood stains. He looks thinner, like they’ve been starving him for the past two weeks. Bruises decorate every bit of his visible skin, and I can’t imagine what’s beneath his clothing.

The steady thrum of his heart beneath my palm reassures me he’s here, especially when his large body tries to stretch in the cramped backseat and he drops his head back, groaning.

“Sleep,” I murmur to him before turning to Anastasia, ready to demand Vanessa return so we can get him help.

Before the words leave my mouth, Vanessa jogs up to the vehicle, pausing to look through the back door at Dimitri. She grimaces. “Apparently they were the last of Ivan’s merry band of men, so we shouldn’t have a repeat, but time will tell. As for Dimitri…fuck.”

“Fuckisn’t a hospital,” I snap, wondering why the hell we’re not driving yet. “He needs medical attention!”

“We go to any hospital, they’ll have questions we can’t answer. It’s not as simple as paying them off. This isn’t my territory. Police will get involved and that’s the last thing we need. Flying home will take too long. He needs help sooner.” She pulls her bottom lip into her mouth, chewing on the skin in thought.

“My apartment then. I have medical supplies.” Not enough and probably nowhere near what he needs, but something is better than nothing.

Dimitri moves his hand over mine.

Vanessa shakes her head. “He’ll need a lot more than that. Shit, I might have an idea. Everyone get in.”

Anastasia takes the middle seat in front of us between two soldiers, while the third takes the passenger seat and Vanessa slides into the driver’s side. She finds her cell and taps the screen for a few minutes before an unfamiliar voice comes through the speakers.

“Vanessa Volkov. My, you’re a handful lately. This better be a call saying you’re on your way out of my territory, and that your pesky issues won’t become mine.”

Dimitri stiffens

“Who’s that?” I whisper to him, unsure if he can even answer me.

“Nico Corsetti. Montreal mafia,” Anastasia replies, having overheard my question.

Oh.This must be the other mob family Vanessa mentioned being a possible issue.

“Not quite,” Vanessa replies. “We ran into another. My cousin’s severely injured, and we can’t walk into a hospital. He won’t make it home in his condition.”

“So you need help. Explain to me why I should care. Why I shouldn’t leave you to deal with your own problems. Maybe it’ll be one less Bratva member to deal with in the future.”

I stiffen. Dimitri’s grip grows tighter, his head rolling across the seat’s backing.

“You want something. What’ll it take, Corsetti?”

Dimitri tries to lift his head. “No…”

Vanessa ignores his plea.

“I have a deal with your cousin already. What more do I need from the Bratva?”

“What do you want?” Vanessa’s tone sharpens and I see a bit of the Pakhan coming through.

“You are working out to be quite the unexpected ally. Rossi may get jealous that I have all your attention.”

“Get to it, Corsetti.” Vanessa twists to check Dimitri’s laboured breaths.

“Well, since it’s your cousin requiring medical attention, I think another favour from him will be satisfactory. One can never gain too many favours from the Bratva.”

Vanessa casts a look at Dimitri, wondering how awake he is. He rolls his head towards me, his less swollen eye cracked open.