Page 80 of Debt to the Mafia King

“Leah.”

Stumbling forward, I fell onto my hands and knees in the thick snow and blinked through the blizzard. I was pretty sure I could see the gates, but I couldn’t be sure.

Panting, I forced myself upwards. I was exhausted, and the cold was really getting to me now. But I refused to die here, in sight of my home after everything I had been through. I refused to let my baby die.

The sound of booted feet crunching through the snow at full speed met my ears, and I forced myself to my feet.

I didn’t understand it. Why was I suddenly so weak? I’d been fine in the car. Scared, yes, but warming up. So this sudden lack of strength didn’t make sense to me.

“Printsessa.” Strong arms swung me upwards and into his arms. Cradling me. “Where have you been, Leah?”

Viktor’s hand pressed my cheek into his chest. I could hear his heart thrumming away against my face, and it was beating too quickly.

“Leah?” More footsteps in the snow, and someone tried to pull back the blanket that was still wrapped around my shoulders. Feebly, I slapped the hand away.

“Leave her alone,” Viktor growled.

“I need to check her over.” A new, unfamiliar voice said. “Don’t you pay me to make sure she is fit and healthy?”

I sighed. A doctor. The newcomer was a doctor. Another one, because the one I had seen after being discharged from the hospital had been female. Just how many people were on Viktor’s payroll?

“And you can check her out when she is inside, where it’s warm,” Viktor hissed. “She’s frozen, her feet—” he trailed off. “Jesus, her feet.”

I blinked up through my snow-encrusted lashes to stare at his profile. Viktor was afraid.

“Let’s get her inside, and we can make sure things are ok. Let’s not panic yet, hey?” He gave a laugh that was meant to be reassuring, but it just made Viktor’s heart speed up even more.

“How are you feeling?”

It took me a while to realize he was talking to me. “I’m fine. Tired and cold.” I darted my eyes up to my husband. “Furious and humiliated,” I added under my breath.

The doctor laughed. “Your wife is angry with you, Viktor. I’m going to say that is a good sign.”

Viktor mumbled something, and then we were back in the car, speeding towards the house. I didn’t open my eyes again until Viktor settled meon one of the sofas.

Glancing around, I frowned. The tree was still there, but the lights didn’t seem so festive. The food and all the presents had been cleaned up.

The TV we had spent the day watching was dark.

Everything was the same but completely different. Much like my life.

“Can I look at your feet and hands, Leah?”

Settling back, I closed my eyes again. Lifting one foot for him to study.

“Does this hurt?”

“No,” I answered honestly. “They are completely numb. They hurt earlier, though. From walking on stones. I think there might be some cuts that have gotten dirty.”

The doctor’s fingers probed across my soles. “I think you are right. We will clean them and get them warm. I don’t think there’s any permanent damage, but it was close.”

“I can clean them—” yawning, I struggled to sit forward, and Viktor’s hands came down heavily on my shoulders and forced me back down. “I really need to shower and change my wet clothes.”

The doctor’s eyes flashed, Viktor’s fingers flexed into my aching muscles and locked me to the couch cushions.

“Why do that when we are all here to look after you?”

I shrugged. “I’m used to looking after myself. I don’t see any reason that needs to change.”