Page 125 of Deceptive Desires

Some have it worse than me, others are unharmed. But no one is in as critical condition as my husband. They tell me none of our people were killed. And that the Russians took the brunt of it.

But I don’t have it in me to care.

Because my husband is in surgery.

Fighting for his life.

And I can’t cope with that.

Chapter 93

Roman

An incessant beeping wakes me. Opening my eyes hurts, and I feel nauseous.

I look around at the white walls surrounding me and realize I’m in a hospital.

The events of the wedding reception come back to me, and I’m yanking cords out of my arm, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.

“CECILIA!” I shout, needing to find her. “CE–”

“I’m here, Roman. I’m here,” the soothing voice of my whole world calms me.

I look to my right and see her at my side. Tears stream down her face, and it breaks my heart.

“Sunshine, why are you crying?” I ask, needing to make whatever it is better.

“You almost died! You almost died, and it scared me. You were in surgery for hours, and then you were unconscious even longer. I had to fight to get in this room with you.” She continues to sob.

“Oh, sunshine,” I console her. I grip her waist and lift her into my bed.

“No! I can’t be in the bed with you! You need to heal!” she scolds me, and I just chuckle.

“If you think a measly gunshot wound is going to keep me from you, you’re crazy,” I assure her.

“Two gunshots wounds!” she obstinately corrects me.

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes at her dramatics. “I’m fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve been shot, and it won’t be the last.”

Tears well in her eyes again, and she wheezes in.

“Don’t say that!” she cries out.

I go over my words and wince when I realize my mistake.

“I’m sorry, sunshine. I promise I’ll be more careful in the future,” I assure her. It’s the truth. I won’t let anything keep me from my wife. I need to always be here to protect her.

I grip her arm, pulling her to my chest, and she winces in pain.

“What’s wrong?” I demand and pull up her t-shirt sleeve.

To reveal a bandage covering her arm.

A fucking bandage with red seeping through.

She’s fucking bleeding!

And I see red.