Page 115 of Gamble with Me

“I thought some major artery or organ was damaged, but I was wrong,” he admitted, running his hand through his messy hair. “Without the scans, it’s just a guessing game. Still, I could have tried a different approach.” He shook his head as if he couldn’t believewhat he had done. “I cut him open in a dirty warehouse to find out I could’ve sewn him up, and he would be okay.”

“I don’t understand a damn thing,” I said, blinking in confusion. His words didn’t make any sense. “What if he had internal bleeding?”

“That’s exactly what I asked myself,” Dorian answered, drifting his gaze back to Zyon. “But the bullet only tore the muscle, avoiding everything important. Even if it stayed there for the rest of his life, he would’ve been okay. I unnecessarily caused more bleeding and pain.”

“Dorian.” I placed my hand on his shoulder, squeezing it supportively. “You don’t have X-ray eyes. You couldn’t know what was happening inside.”

“Thanks.” He smiled, yet it didn’t reach his eyes. “But it doesn’t change the fact that if he catches an infection, we are screwed.”

“What can I do?” I asked, mirroring his sad look. Zyon looked so peaceful that it was hard to believe what he was going through.

“Pray,” Dorian replied, exhaling heavily. “After I give him meds, there is nothing more we can do.”

“Oh, God,” I breathed, my lower lip trembling.

The urge to cry was overwhelming. I couldn’t stop the rivulets of tears running down my cheeks. I felt utterly useless, which was magnified by the fact that I had no idea how to help injured people. I could only sit by Zyon and hold his hand, nothing more.

Malin returned in record time. He brought IV fluids, antibiotics, and blood bags and somehow managed to drive his motorcycle with a small cooler box.

“You have access to all of these?” I gaped at the supplies, examining them from every side.

“I own a clinic, Valeria.” Dorian winked at me, putting the metal stand together and hanging the IV fluid bag. “As a doctor, I have access to great stuff.”

“I’ve never heard of you being a doctor.” I frowned, turning to Malin. “What is your area of expertise?”

“The real one or the one father forced me to study?” he asked, and Dorian chuckled. It was obvious I shouldn’t ask about the real one.

“The forced one,” I replied, even when I hoped to get the other answer, too.

“I have a degree from MIT, Computer Science, and other bullshit,” Malin said nonchalantly, helping Dorian arrange everything in its place.

My eyes widened in surprise, and I had to pick my jaw from the floor. I had heard and found many things about the Zhumagulov brothers, but that information was alien to me. There was no mention of their studies anywhere, so it was a shock.

“Don’t tell me you graduated from Harvard,” I teased, following Dorian’s precise movements.

“Me?” He laughed. “No. The Harvard Law graduate is a sleeping beauty.” He nodded toward Zyon, preparing the needle. “But he never practiced. I don’t know if his license is still valid, so don’t expect much of him.”

“I’ll try.”

I sat on the opposite side, taking Zyon’s hand gently. His pale face roughly brought me back to the reality where he was fighting for his life.

The drops of fluids slowly moved into his veins, supporting his body in the battle. My eyes were set on him, watching him cautiously to detect any minor change.

Fear held me in its tight embrace, but I believed he would pull through. He was strong, and hopefully, the worst was behind us.

“Fight, my love,” I whispered, pressing his cold hand against my lips. “Don’t you dare leave me now.”

-53-

Valeria

It was the longest night of my life. I spent half of it pacing back and forth like a tiger in a cage, and when I was too tired, I lay beside Zyon, but sleep didn’t come.

Malin and Dorian moved him to the bed to be more comfortable and arranged everything Zyon might need, yet I was still restless. I wanted Dorian to stay during the night, but he refused, claiming I would manage.

Zyon was stable. After a few hours, during which he was pumped with IV fluids and blood, Dorian said the worst was behind us, but he needed rest. He kept him sedated and said he would return in the morning to check up on us, yet the morning seemed so far away that I didn’t know if I would ever see the sun rise again.

However, I understood Malin and Dorian had to leave. Everyone believed Zyon was dead. They had companies, casinos, hotels, and clubs to run. Without the boss, everything could crumble. They didn’t want to risk it and had to keep the plan in motion. I had no idea what that meant, but their brief exchange of looks told me it involved my soon-to-be ex-husband and his powerful friends.