Page 10 of Forced to Marry the Russian Pakhan

First, I deal with these idiots.

Then? We’ll see how long Dr. Yulia keeps up that attitude when there’s no gunfire between us.

Everything happens fast. My brothers spread out, laying down cover fire as I return shots, forcing the attackers back. I see Iosif head indoors and then, within minutes, Valentin’s gurney bursts through the trauma bay doors, wheeled by my brother and one of my men, flanked by nurses shrieking for cover.

“Get him in the car!” I bark at Iosif, gesturing toward Valentin. Meanwhile, Leonid, I see, has managed to bring down two of our attackers.

Iosif tosses me a questioning look as his gaze lands on Yulia, still pressed to my side.

“Listen, all of you,” I yell. “Get in the fucking car and go.”

“What about you, Brother?” Leonid bellows back, still warding off the gunfire from the remaining one man.

I inch closer to the SUV with Yulia still in my grip. I aim, shooting out the knee of the last remaining attacker.

“There could be more coming,” I tell my brothers. “Take Valentin home.”

The doctor, Yulia, shoves off my grip and stands, hair wild, breathing hard. She clocks the corpses with a single wide-eyed sweep, then whips around to face me.

“What the hell was that?” she demands.

Iosif is helping Valentin into the car, but I see all three of my brothers pause and look between us questioningly.

“I saved your life,” I snap at her.

“You just—your friends just—” She’s sputtering, shaking. “You can’t just—this is a hospital, for god’s sake! You—people—”

She’s actually beautiful when she’s furious. It’s not the right time to notice, but I do.

In the distance, Sirens are wailing. Fuck. That means we have a minute, maybe two, before more law enforcement shows up and ruins my night.

Leonid chimes in. “Should I clean up the mess, or—?”

“Leave it,” I say. “Zakharovs want to leave bodies on my turf, let them explain it.”

He nods and gets into the car, but leaves the door open, watching Yulia and me like we’re some prime time entertainment.

I turn to the doctor. “You’re coming with us.”

She stares at me like I’m insane. Maybe I am.

I don’t have time to explain. I can already feel the problem unraveling in real-time—she saw everything. My face. The gunfire. The retaliation. This is the kind of shit that turns civilians into liabilities.

I grip Yulia’s arm and nod at my brothers. “Drive. We’ll follow in my car.”

“No. No, I’m not. Your brother’s fine. The police are coming. I’m staying here.” She actually tries to yank herself free.

“You don’t understand,” I say. “You’re a witness. They saw you. Next time, they’ll aim at you first.”

She tries to fight me, but I’m stronger. “So what, you’re kidnapping me now? This is insane. You can’t just—”

“Let’s go,” I order, and before Yulia can react, I haul her into my arms.

Her fist slams into my ribs. I barely feel it, but goddamn, she tries. “Let me go, asshole.”

She bites. She fucking bites my hand, right below the thumb, and for a second, I see stars. I only hold her stronger.

“What the hell are you doing?!” she shrieks, fists pounding at my chest as I stride toward my car.