He doesn't say anything, he just tightens his hold as if to say 'thank you'.
————
It's been a few days since Roman and I got back together and I've been doing better I guess.
I haven't cut since what happened in the bathtub and well I'm eating a little every day.
I look up to see Roman looking down at me.
"Ro" I smile hugging him tight.
He smiles at me and lifts my face before giving me a kiss.
I kiss him back lovingly and eventually we pull away.
I smile while blushing a little.
I hide my face in his chest but keep looking at him.
"What time is it?" I ask in a sleepy voice.
Roman looks at his phone for a second, "time to get up for school" he mutters.
I groan annoyed and shake my head, "I don't want to go" I tell him.
He rubs my back, "I know but it's Wednesday which means that we only have 4 lessons so we can go home soon" he tells me.
"I know but I have a presentation" I groan.
"I know, I will be watching you do it since we're in the same class" he tells me, "plus, if you do well you might get a reward later" Roman continues before slowly pressing his lips to my neck.
He softly sucks on my sweet spot.
He bites gently on my skin before swirling his tong over it, I moan.
"Ro" I breathe out as wetness pools between my legs.
I feel him smile against my neck than he just pulls away.
I make a frustrated sound when I know he won't continue.
"So needy are we now" he says before flipping us so he's on top of me.
He comes down and we start kissing again.
Suddenly he pulls away and walks to my bathroom.
I push another pillow on my face and almost scream from frustration.
He can't tease me like that.
I drop the pillow and run out of my bed.
I go to my bathroom too and jump onto Roman's back.
He catches me, and holds me as my legs wrap around his stomach and my arms around his neck.
I close my eyes once more as I try to fall asleep again
———
So I'm currently in class after almost being dragged to school.
I don't want to be here.
I have a presentation today and I'm not ready.
Well I know my lines and stuff but I just know that with all the stress I will have, I will forget what I have to say than I will get bad grades properly have a panic attack and cry.
Love that for me.
Other people are doing their presentation right now and I'm just sitting here in the back, next to Roman while freaking out.
My heart beats loudly in my head, so fast as if I'd just ran a marathon.
My hands shake as my leg bounces.
I try to take deep breaths so I can calm down but euhm it's not really working since I know the worst has yet to come.
Since Roman and I are sitting in the back row of the class room we are sitting close to each other as Roman tries to help me calm down too.
No one pays any attention to us, not even the teacher so we're cool.
Roman's arm is wrapped around my body as my head is lying against his shoulder.
"Calm down, baby. Breathe" he says lovingly, pressing a kiss against my head.
I do as he says and take another deep breath.
Being in Roman's hold, calms me down more but I know the second the teacher calls out my name, I'll freak out even more.
My shaking stops except for the occasional twitching but the racing of my heart continues.
I close my eyes and relax in Roman's hold.
"That's right my love, just relax." He mutters.
My stress is almost completely gone when suddenly my name gets called out.
I freeze as my body tenses.
My heart immediately starts beating faster again.
"Yeah?"
"You're up next" he says.
"Shhhh, calm down, it's okay. You can do this. Just focus on me when you're doing the presentation like we practiced at home. You'll do amazing, I know you will" he smiles softly while massaging the tension in my back.
I nod my head and give him a small kiss on the cheek before standing up.
Fake the confidence
Fake it till you make it.
I walk up to the front of the classroom as all the eyes from classmates stare at me.
I bite the inside of my cheek as I continue to walk to the front.
I but my USB stick inside the computer and let my PowerPoint stream on the big screen.
I straighten up and start fidgeting with my hands as I wait for the teacher to tell me I can start with my presentation.
My heart beats too loudly and too fast but I ignore it as I try to take deep breaths.
I look forward and immediately meet Roman's eyes.
He smiles comforting at me right before the teacher announces that I can start.
I do my presentation in French.
I switched French classes after everything that happened with Alessia.
I just can't stand being in that classroom anymore nor can I look at that stupid bitch-ass teacher.
So my dad helped me in changing classes and now I'm here with Roman.
I continue with my presentation but when the stress starts to get too much I forget what I have to say.
I take a deep breath as I try to remember what I'm supposed to say.
God why couldn't we bring a paper to the front so I could actually remember my shit.
I look at Roman with panic clear in my eyes.
He mouths the next words to me and I quickly pick everything back up.
I continue explaining everything and when I'm finally done the class claps for me but I can't breathe.
I walk back to my seat as the teacher starts giving me feedback about everything but I don't listen
The only thing I hear is that continues ringing in my ears as my heartbeat only goes faster and faster.
When I'm back at my seat Roman immediately notices my tensed body which is on the brink of a panic attack.
I sit down and Roman pulls me into his arms.
"Shhh, it's okay. Breathe, you did good okay. You didn't make any mistakes you did amazing my love" he tells me while again massaging my tense muscles.
I breathe heavily and start to feel more and more uncomfortable with all these eyes on me.
Roman notices and lifts his hand while helping me stand up, "sir, we have to go home because of a family emergency" he says.
He doesn't let the teacher answer and just pulls me out with him and takes my backpack too.
With his arm around me, we walk out of the room.
We go to walk outside and go sit by a tree.
Roman helps me sit down on the ground where he leans against the tree and pulls me to sit on his lap.
He brings my head in his chest, "breathe my love, try to match your heart rate with mine" he tells me.
Hearing his heart rate makes me calm down especially when he rubs my back softly.
"Roman" I whimper pained as my heart doesn't stop raising like this.
"I know, it's okay. Breathe in and out, together. In...and out. In...and out. Well done, good, like that." He says softly.
I climb up a little higher and snuggle my head in the crook of his neck.
Roman reaches next to him and starts doing something and eventually he hands me an anxiety pill.
I quickly take it as Roman and I still lay in each other's hold.
We stay here for around half an hour until I fully calm down and relax.
Since this last lesson was the last of the day, Roman and I soon leave to go back home.
————
I have detention.
It's the next day and I have detention.
Why?
Because of Roman and I going out of class yesterday the teacher decided that we need detention which is honestly ridiculous.
If I could I'd kill him, that man is a pervert.
I see him staring at the girls' boobs and stuff in class and in the hallways.
I've even seen him when I had P.E. he was just sitting there staring at us all.
Man disgusts me honestly.
But I also know that if I were to shoot him, my parents wouldn't be exactly happy since he isn't involved with the mafia and shit.
The worst is, I have detention with that disgusting man.
At least I'm not alone, Roman is here with me.
I look up when I feel someone 's eyes on me.
Well if it isn't that pervert staring at me.
I wrap my arms around my body feeling uncomfortable when Roman speaks up.
"Can you stop looking at her" he demands harshly.
The teacher looks away from me for a split second and looks at Roman, "mr. Dmitry, Out! You do not talk during detention" he yells.
"Go to the next detention room" he screams.
Roman looks even more pissed, "I'm not going to leave her with you" Roman says pointing at me seeming pissed but he makes sure he's not yelling, so he doesn't scare me.
I just shift uncomfortably in my seat as that man continues to stare at my breast.
Some memories of when Jake and Pierre looked at me like that start to flash in my mind.
"Can you stop" I demand more than ask.
He just stands up from his seat and walks to my desk.
Nervously I scoot a little back in my seat.
I have my gun.
I have my gun.
If something happens I can shoot him
I can fight him too, I could easily defeat him.
Like easily.
I look at him, "I am your teacher, I can do what I want and you will respect me or I'll suspend you" he says.
I stand up now too and place my hands on the desk, leaning forward.
"You will do no such thing if you know what's good for you" I tell him using that voice I only use when talking to enemies.
The man doesn't stop however.
He just slaps me across the face.
Hard.
My head flies to the side and I let out a small chuckle as I click my tong.
I let him slap me so now I have an actual actual reason so I can snap back since I of course can't prove that he keeps looking at me.
It would just be his word against mine.
I turn back to him and knock him out.
He falls to the ground immediately unconscious.
I straddle that stupid pervert and start beating him up.
I keep hitting and hitting him.
All I see is red.
I need him dead.
Blood pours out of his mouth and face as my hands slowly get covered in it too.
After some time Roman gets me off of him.
I struggle in his arms until he makes a fair point.
"Stop, my love. We will bring him home and when he's conscious we'll continue, so he can actually feel the pain" he says
He's right.
I stop struggling and relax in his arms as much as I can right now.
Roman turns me around to face him when suddenly his calming face turns almost red from anger while looking at me
He gently releases me and walks up to that man.
He lifts his leg before harshly bringing it back down a few times on his ribs while I hear some cracks.
Soon he grab that assholes' arm and snaps his fingers.
They break and soon he continues with wrist.
He kneels down further and quickly smashes his elbow in his nose as more blood quickly pours out.
He breathes heavily as he stands up and walks to me.
He wraps his arms around me and gently caresses my back.
I close my eyes, enjoying the moment as I try to forget about what just happened.
The door to this room bursts open and I open my eyes to see Oliver and Maxim walking to the still unconscious man.
"I called them, they'll bring him to your warehouse" he says before giving me a kiss on the head.
I nod my head while still having my head placed on his chest.
Roman and I stay here for another few minutes until we decide to go home.
My hand is still in Roman's while Roman drives back home.
Since Roman slept over last night, we went to school together by car.
I still feel uncomfortable from what that man did before, it just made me remember some stuff from what other men did before.
Pierre
Jake
That man in those cells when I got kidnapped again
And now I can add that teacher to that list.
I feel-....a little used I guess.
I don't know if I can use that word but honestly I do feel like that even though I haven't been physically touched except for that slap.
My cheek burns and I know it's already swollen.
I don't know why but even after all these bad experiences with some men, I've never ever been even the slightest bit afraid of Roman.
No instead of now what most people probably would freak out about, calms me down instead.
Roman's hand in mine, laying down on my lap.
It comforts me and maybe that's weird but maybe it's not.
Anyway I don't really care because if it benefits me and Roman at the same time, there shouldn't be any reason for me to overthink this.
Roman brings our combined hands up and places a small kiss on my hand, "I love you, my love. I'm sorry about what happened out there" he apologizes.
I squeeze his hand tighter, "it's okay, I love you Ro" I say giving him a small smile.
He glances my way concerned, "it's not okay, my love. And you know that" he states.
"I know" I say barely above a whisper.
"Fuck, I want to hug you so bad but I'm driving so when we're finally home, I'm going to cuddle you for hours on end okay" he says determined.
I smile, "I'd like that" I tell him as he smiles even wider.
Soon we're finally home and Roman quickly parks the car in the garage.
He tells me to keep seated so I do as he says before he walks around the car and opens my door.
I smile while he holds out his hand which I immediately take.
I stand up and close the car door behind me.
Roman wraps his arm around my body and tugs me closer to him.
We walk inside my house, going to the kitchen.
I sit on the counter top while Roman starts doing some stuff in the kitchen.
I look down at my lap, still trying to process what happened.
A lump starts to grow in my throat but I don't want to cry.
This has happened before, so why am I still not used to it?
Why do I still cry?
Roman comes to stand between my legs before placing his hand on my sore cheek and lifts my head.
He gently moves his thumb across my cheek, inspecting the damage.
He drops his hand away from my cheek and grabs an ice pack before placing it on my skin.
"Does it hurt a lot?" He asks me.
"A l-little" I tell him as my voice breaks because of that brick in my throat.
I can't help but let the tears that I've been suppressing since that happened fall.
A sob escapes my lips as Roman quickly wraps his arms around my body.
My body trembles with the sobs that constantly leave as tears start to stain Roman's shirt.
"Shhhh, it's okay you can cry, let it all out, my love." Roman says softly, pressing a kiss to my head.
My hand tightly grips Roman's shirt as the tears keep streaming like a waterfall.
I stay in his hold and cry for I don't even know how long but eventually I stop, as I feel completely drained.
Roman continues rubbing my back with one hand as the other one still rests in my hair.
Gently playing with it.
I hug him tighter against my body, enjoying the comfort it's giving me.
Roman pulls away a little and wipes the tears away from my face while looking me in the eyes.
"I'm so sorry, my love. I should've done something sooner" he tells me softly with guilt all over his face.
"It's not your fault, Ro. Don't blame yourself" I tell him, while placing my hand on his cheek before leaning forward and giving him a kiss on the head like he always does to me.
He smiles softly and quickly wraps his arms around my body once more.
I smile feeling safe and loved.
Roman suddenly picks me up making me wrap my legs around his waist.
"Where do you want to go?" He asks
"My room" I mutter while snuggling my head in the crook of his neck.
He hums in acknowledgment and starts walking.
When we reach my room, Roman lies me down on the bed before going to lay down himself.
I cuddle myself closer to him as he once more wraps his arms around my body.
I'm exhausted and my head hurts.
I close my eyes as Roman suddenly tugs me closer to his chest so we're fully touching, "go to sleep, my love. I'll still be here when you wake up in the morning." He says lovingly.
I hum, "I love you, Ro. More than anything in the world" Is the last thing I say before sleep takes over.
————
In the morning my cheek is swollen with a big handprint on it.
My cheek is red but also a little blue from the bruising.
I sigh and try to make my hair cover the print.
Roman walks up to me after having done his own hair.
I turn to him as he looks at the bruise.
He looks pissed but also sad.
Pissed at the teacher but sad at the fact that I'm hurt.
"I can't cover it" I tell him.
"Than don't, putting makeup on it is only going to hurt because of the bruise so just leave it" Roman says.
I nod my head. "Okay" I say.
He smiles lightly before pulling me in for a small kiss.
One hand around my waist as the other holds my cheek, the one which isn't pained.
My arms are wrapped around his neck as he gently bites my lip and swirls his tong over it.
I smile into the kiss and when we stop, we place our heads against each other's.
Roman smiles wildly and wraps his arms around my waist before we walk downstairs.
We walk in the dining room but leave our backpacks at the door.
However the second Roman and I walk into the dining room and my dad sees my cheek, he lunges at Roman.
"Dad!" I gasp shocked.
"You hit my daughter!" He screams at Roman while holding him by the neck against the wall.
"No, I'd never do that" he quickly says while trying to get my father off of him without hurting him.
"Dad stop! Roman didn't hurt me, my teacher did!" I yell.
The second the words leave my mouth, my dad releases Roman.
"What!?" He yells outraged before quickly turning to Roman, "sorry Roman" he says
"It's okay, I'd done the same thing" Roman says a little shocked while I help him back up.
I turn to my dad after helping Roman on his feet.
"My teacher hit me"I say once more, "not Roman" I clarify.
"Which teacher" he demands still angry.
"My new French teacher, but it has been handled, he's in one of the cells in my warehouse because he also did things that-.." I don't continue as I recall what happened last night.
I look down to the ground as Roman squeezes my hand, trying to comfort me by saying, 'I'm here it's okay, he's gone and locked up'
I give Roman a small smile as I look back up.
"Val beat him up before I did" Roman than says continuing.
My dad nods his head, "I'll pay him a small visit later today too" my dad says
I nod my head and stand there a little awkwardly because of what just happened.
My mom stands up and walks to us, "why did your teacher even hit you in the first place?" My mom asks confused
"It doesn't matter" I say feeling uncomfortable
My mom raises her eyebrow in a way that tells me to just say it to her or....
"I told him to stop looking at my breast so he hit me telling me that he is a teacher and can do what he wants because otherwise he'd suspect me" I say quietly.
That's when hell breaks lose.
Keys get gathered, people start screaming as I stand there shocked.
"I swear to mother fucking god!!" Antonio screams
I freeze from the screaming and start trembling a little.
Don't scream
Stop screaming
"That fucking bastard!!" Blake screams outraged as I cover my ears with my hands.
No
No
No
Stop
Flashbacks from when sir, ma'am and their friends came over flash in front of me of when they started yelling at me.
Tears form in my eyes from the stress and fear that devours my body.
No
Stop
Stop
Xander starts screaming just like the rest of my brothers as they stand up before putting on their shoes.
"STOP" Roman yells which immediately makes the others stop yelling
Roman wraps his arms around my body before pulling me into his chest.
"Stop screaming" Roman says calmly but there's this threat in his voice at the same time.
Saying that if they don't stop, it won't end well.
My body trembles as a few tears fall down my cheeks, staining Roman's shirt.
Roman rubs my back as he holds me close to him.
I don't like yelling
I don't like loud noises
I don't like screaming
A small sob escapes my lips which gets louder when I try to hold them in, "shhh it's okay, my love. It's okay" he says gently, his hold on me tightening.
I feel eyes on me but I choose to try and ignore them.
Roman gently plays with my hair as he holds me against his chest.
My hands are tightly wrapped in fists while holding Roman's shirt from behind as one of my arms is around his waist and the other is next to me, on Roman's chest.
"It's okay, it's okay baby. You're safe" he gently mutters, kissing me on the head.
I try to stop myself from crying but it doesn't really work as I continue to lightly sob.
Roman helps me walk to the kitchen where he helps me on the countertop.
He once more grabs some ice pack from the freezer before giving it to me so I can put it on my cheek.
After that he walks up to me once more and goes to stand between my legs.
He wipes away my fallen tears and gives me a small kiss on the head.
Roman once more pulls me into a hug, tugging my head in his chest.
"What do you want to do?" He asks me gently.
"Can we just go out or something after school, to forget about everything?" I ask him.
He nods his head, "sure, after school we can go on a date" he smiles.
I look at the time, "talking about school, we have to go like now" I quickly say.
Roman looks at his phone before his eyes widen, "you're right, come" he says helping me jump off the counter before quickly grabbing our bags of the floor by the dining room and running to a car.
We quickly get inside it before shooting out of the driveway.
We quickly go to school as I inspect the damage on my cheek once more.
Yep, still red and blue.
I groan a little annoyed because of it.
"Where do you want to go for our date?" I ask Roman.
"I don't know, maybe we can go to a small restaurant or something" Roman suggest.
I nod my head, "like going to a small business?" I ask.
He nods his head while quickly glancing my way before focusing on the road again.
"Well than it's a date" I smile.
He grins, "I guess it is" he says while stroking my thigh.
————
I'm in my last class for the day and I can't waist for it to end.
I just really want to go on that date with Ro.
I look at the clock 15 more minutes.
I groan annoyed which makes the substitute teacher for French look up.
Since Roman and I took our French teacher with us, we got a substitute for now until we get a new one since I faked a resign letter from him.
"Stay after class, miss. Hernandez" he says.
I look up shocked, "why?" I ask him.
He doesn't answer me and just continues with the lesson.
I don't want to stay longer, I want to go with Roman to a small little restaurant.
I look at Roman shocked and even more annoyed.
"It's okay, I'll wait for you" he says.
I nod my head as I write down what the teacher just wrote on the board.
——
The 15 minutes are finally over and while the rest all leaves, I stay seated.
The teacher cleans up his stuff as I do with mine before after a long 5 minutes he walks up to my desk.
I look outside and everyone is gone except for Roman.
I sigh as I just want whatever this is to get over with it.
I look up at the teacher when he suddenly pulls out a gun
My eyes widen as I quickly lift my arm, than bring it to the side which makes the gun fly out of his hands, "what the fuck" I raise my voice.
The man just smirks while lunging at me.
I dodge the punch and deliver one to the guy before also giving him a kick in his private area.
He doubles over which makes me able to see the tattoo behind his ear.
Mafia from Switzerland
"Really coming after me in school?" I say in disbelief.
"You have to die so we can complete our mission" is all he says before more men come in the classroom.
A big fight quickly starts so I swing my backpack around which makes a few of them fall to the ground and gives me a chance to escape the classroom.
I run as Swiss' follow me.
I dial Roman's number and he quickly picks up, "hey love" he says calmly.
"Start the car, quickly. The Swiss' they're here and are trying to kill me." I say out of breath.
"Fuck" he curses under his breath before I hear a door open and hear the engine start.
I run out of school pretty fast, than make my way over to the parking lot.
I quickly jump in the car before Roman drives away as those Swiss' follow us.
I call my father and connect it to the car as I see Roman and my own bodyguards follow us too as they try to get those Swiss' off the road.
My dad quickly picks up, "hey principessa" he says and I can practically hear the smile in his voice.
I press on my bracelet multiple times.
"Dad,-" I say panic clear in my voice, "-the Swiss' are following us, there trying to kill us" I say panicking when I suddenly hear gunshots being fired at us.
I take my gun out of the back of my jeans and roll down my window.
I start shooting back while I hear orders being said in the background.
As I start shooting, someone else starts shooting back.
I hang further out of the window even though I know I'll probably get shot this way, Roman will be safer because if it in the end.
I'm quickly able to shoot a car off the road by making some holes in the tires when suddenly I get shot.
I groan pained but continue even though blood starts bleeding out of me.
"Val" Roman panics while trying to get me back inside the car.
However I don't let him and quickly take another car off of the road until I know I can't support my weight anymore by hanging out of the car like this while bleeding out.
I get back inside as Roman closes the window.
Roman suddenly takes off his jacket and puts it on my bleeding stomach.
I take my own off too since the bullet went straight through me, I'm bleeding out of my back too.
I feel a little light headed but I ignore it as my dad quickly gives Roman instructions for where he needs to go.
Roman drives faster as he tries to lose those men which are following us.
I start to see a beach and grow more and more worried.
This was supposed to be a fun little date.
Tears form in my eyes but I suppress them as I look outside of my window.
My eyes widen when I see a car headed our way, going as fast as the car possibly can.
Not being able to react in time, the car crashes into ours.
The glass on my window shatters before it lands in my skin.
I scream frightened when our car starts to tumble forward as we're on a bridge, above water.
"Valentina!" My dad screams for me on the phone as Roman covers my body with his
"My love, I love you" he says silently before we land in the water with the car from the Swiss' tumbling on top of ours.
We quickly sink as I make the seatbelt from Roman loose.
The car from the Swiss which landed on top of ours, makes us stuck.
The water comes higher and higher as tears start to fall.
"Roman-" I cry, "-you've got to get out of here" I continue as I try to get his foot which is stuck free.
"No, it's okay. You go, my love. I couldn't live a life without you in it. You're not stuck, I am. Let me go and leave." He says softly as tears fall down his face too.
"No- no! I'm not leaving you here Roman" I cry louder, sobbing as the water comes up to my chin.
I take a deep breath and go down to the floor of the car.
I pull on Roman's leg as I keep bleeding out and only feel weaker and weaker.
I try to push whatever is holding Roman's leg there, away but it doesn't work.
I go back up and see Roman reaching up with his mouth to only little place of the car where is still air.
"Ro, I have to b-break your ankle to get you out okay. I'm sorry, I love you so so much don't die" I say and give him a small kiss on the head before taking another big breath and going down once more.
I take Roman's foot in my hands and loosen his shoe before in one swift motion breaking his ankle while taking his shoe off which makes him free.
I hear him scream in pain as more tears fall down my face.
I come back up and see that there is no more air.
Roman looks at me, he lost the last bit off air he had in him by screaming.
No
I take his hand in mine and bring his face closer to mine.
I pull my lips over him and give him my last bit off air.
I take his hand and pull him with me, out of the window but again once more find out that that stupid other car has locked us in.
I go to the other side and start punching on a window as I try to break it but it doesn't really work.
I punch harder and faster as Roman helps me with it but soon all the air is gone.
There are a few cracks in the window but nothing more.
I look at Roman and see him grasping at his neck, eyes wide.
I can hold on a little longer because of the drowning back in the days.
I scream when I see his eyes start to close.
I try to find my gun and when I do I start shooting all the left over bullets in the window, hoping that it would break.
Otherwise we'll both be dead in the next few seconds.
It doesn't break so I start banging harder on that stupid window, it breaks and I quickly grab Roman's arm.
I drag him with me up to the surface but I can't hold on anymore.
I push Roman up as I feel my eyes start to close.
With the last bit of my strength I swim Roman to the beach.
I drag him with me and fall to the ground next to him as I'm finally able to breathe.
However Roman's chest doesn't rise nor does it fall.
"No- no no no no" I cry as I fall on top of him, trying to find a heartbeat.
Nothing.
A loud screaming sob gets thorn out of my throat as I start reanimating him.
I keep doing it but feel myself only getting more weaker.
My eyes start to close before I fall down in the sand, the last thing I see is Roman waking up a little and start coughing up water before falling down unconscious next to me once more.
————
Arsenio's POV.
We drive as fast as we can to Val's location from her bracelet when suddenly the tracker lands in the ocean as we hear a loud crash on the phone before screaming.
"Valentina!" I scream on the phone.
"My love, I love you" I hear Roman slowly say before another loud crash sounds.
Suddenly the contact gets broken as we hear water.
As our car can't go any faster we're unable to do anything at this point.
We continue to drive as we start to come across a beach.
Val's tracker from her bracelet is still in the water at this point as more worry grows in my gut.
Finally the tracker starts moving a bit until it finally reaches the beach.
I look outside of the car to see Valentina fall the the ground next to a very pale Roman.
She coughs for a while as the sand around her turns red from blood.
She turns to Roman in panic when she doesn't see his chest move.
She lays her head on Roman's chest searching for a heartbeat.
She can't find one and starts crying harder and more.
She starts reanimating him as we close in on the beach.
No
No
No
Come on Roman
Don't fucking die, you're like a son to me.
We drive to them as far as we can until we have to get out of the cars.
The whole family starts running when suddenly Valentina falls down as Roman coughs up a little water before going down unconscious again.
When we finally reach them, I start with searching for a heartbeat with both of them.
I find one and tears of relief makes their way into my eyes.
Valentina gets paler and paler as more blood leaves her body.
Ambulanciers from our mafia are on their way but they're being too slow.
Val is bleeding out way too fast and who knows how long that's been going on.
The jackets and shirt that we've been holding against the wounds are soaked in blood, she's not going to make it this way.
"Give me a lighter" I demand.
"Why?" Xavier asks worriedly
"I'm going to burn these wounds close otherwise she's not going to make it" I tell them all.
My father hands me the lighter as Elijah takes another cloth, cleaning out the wound as much as he can.
I take a deep breath and turn the lighter on as most of my family turn away not wanting to see this happening to their little sister, cousin and more.
Val doesn't stir and stays unconscious luckily.
She doesn't need to feel this pain.
Her skin melts close in the fire as the smell of burned flesh surrounds us.
When I'm finished I gently blow a little on her skin as my mother gives me another big cloth.
I lay it down on the sand before turning Val on it but try to make that fresh wound not touch the ground.
I clean her back as much as I can as more blood leaks out, "dad, do it now. Her pulse is too slow" Elijah says.
I turn the lighter on once more and close the wound but this time Valentina starts to wake up.
She cries out in pain as I gently stroke her hair.
"Shhh, it's okay. It'll be over soon, you're safe now" I tell her gently as tears start falling down her face.
When I'm finished we finally start to see the ambulance from afar.
Valentina reaches out to Roman's body which is turned to the side for if there is more water in his lungs, he doesn't choke in it.
She places her hand on his cheek before going down and placing two fingers on his neck.
She visibly relaxes when she feels a heartbeat.
"He'll be okay, Val." I tell her softly before giving her a small kiss on the head.
She nods her head before her eyes once more close as the ambulance arrives.
————
Valentina's POV.
I wake up and open my eyes when all the memories come flooding back.
I look around the room as pain erupts all through my body.
A small cry leaves my mouth as I feel someone's arms around me.
I try to move away when I recognize who it is, Roman.
I look around and see the rest of my family sleeping or doing some stuff on their phones and laptops.
I look up and see Roman looking down at me.
"Ro" I whisper my voice raspy as I reach my hand up to touch his cheek, "you're alive" I state smiling as tears of joy and relief overwhelm my eyes.
He gently strokes my cheek, "you're alive too" he smiles lovingly with tears in his eyes too.
"You died for a few minutes" I say silently as a tear falls out of my eye, "you- you can't do that again okay" I cry.
"Shhh, I'm still alive, my love just like you. I heard how you dragged me with you to shore" he smiles, "thank you for that" he continues.
I hug his body closer to mine, "you don't have to thank me for that, I'd die if that meant I could safe you" I mutter giving him a small kiss on his chest.
"That's why you didn't leave me there when I was stuck" he says realizing.
I nod while looking at his ankle which is now in a cast.
"I'm sorry I had to break your ankle" I apologize.
He just starts laughing, "baby, oh my god are you kidding me. Thank you for breaking my ankle, if you didn't we both wouldn't be here right now" he smiles.
He lies down in a better position which makes me able to lie down on his chest in a better way when I suddenly feel pain shoot up my stomach and back.
I cry out while Roman helps me lie down, "shhh, it's okay. They had to do some surgery on you to remove dead skin, your gunshot wound and some glass had to be removed that got stuck inside you during the crash" he tells me.
I nod my head before I lift up my shirt until under my boobs.
I undo the bandage as I feel like something's off.
I look down only to see a heavy infection going on.
What this couldn't have developed in a few hours.
"Ro? How long have I been asleep?" I ask turning to him worriedly.
He looks sad when he answers, "you've been in a coma for around a week"
"What?" I ask tearing up.
"You lost too much blood so your body went into shock. It needed rest to heal and you would eventually wake up on your own when you were ready" Elijah says while standing up and walking to me.
He looks at my gunshot wound, "and we thought this was healing better than it apparently is" he says before going next to me and pressing on a red button.
A week
I've been in a coma for a week.
I turn to look at Roman with my eyes big in shock, "a week" I say voice breaking.
He pulls me into his chest but we both make sure that when the doctor or nurse come, they can look at the wound on my stomach easily.
He strokes my hair gently, "don't cry, baby" Roman says a soft comforting smile on his face.
I look at him, in his eyes.
In his loving beautiful dark eyes, is this sadness that's telling me he's hurting by seeing me like this.
He leans forward as our eyes close.
I tilt my face to the right right before our lips meet.
I open my lips a little, Roman's doing the same.
Our tongs gently collide as our mouths move in sync and Roman places his hand on my cheek/neck.
A small moan leaves my lips as our lips collide once more.
Way way way too soon do we stop kissing but we kind of have to- my family's here. Only a small 10 second kiss but it also made me stop crying completely.
Our heads lean against each other while Elijah says that he's going to clean the wound and bandage it.
"No- just cut the infected flesh away" I tell him.
"It's not necessary, if we give it time it will go away from itself" Elijah says.
"It won't, my wounds always infect sooner or later and it's infected now so it's only going to get worse. I don't want to take medication, it's going to take too long so just cut the infected flesh away please" I beg him.
"Val it's not that I don't want to, I just don't want to hurt you. I know you so I know you're not going to let me give you some anesthesia." He tells me.
"You're not hurting me, you're helping me" I tell him.
He still looks doubtful, "look Elijah I'm not going to force you to do it okay, I can do it. I've done it before I know how to.-" I start but he cuts me off.
"No Val, I'm not letting you do this by yourself. I'll do it" he smiles gently.
I nod my head, "thank you" I tell him.
"Yeah, you're about to hate me in a minute" he mutters under his breath while grabbing all sorts of supplies.
"I don't think so" I tell him while Roman continues to draw some circles on my collarbone as his arm is wrapped around my body.
Elijah washes his hands before putting on some medical gloves.
He starts by cleaning out my wound which burns so I grit my teeth tightly against each other.
Elijah takes out the knife and glances my way, "it's okay Lijah" I say before I feel the knife puncture my skin.
Fuck okay, that knife is going deeper than expected.
"Breathe, my love. Deep breaths" Roman gently says into my ear.
I do as he says when I notice that I actually stopped breathing because of the pain.
I cry out in pain before I feel the flesh being fully cut off of my skin.
I blow out a big breath as I feel some blood leak out of my stomach.
Elijah cleans the rest of the blood up and bandages it all again.
After a few seconds he tells me to turn around so he can look at my back.
I do as he says with a little help from him and Roman.
The bandage gets ripped of my skin in a more gentle way than that sounds.
Here nothing is infected which is good so Elijah just cleans it out before here too bandaging it.
"Val, can you sit up please" Elijah asks.
"Yeah" I agree and try to sit up.
Keyword: try
With a little difficulty I'm able to turn around, again with help from Roman.
But when I try to sit up, I start to feel extremely light headed.
My eyes roll back as my head feels too heavy to carry and I start to let it fall back.
Roman catches my head and holds me upright while Elijah grabs my hands and helps me sit up straight too.
With my legs over the bed and sitting up for the first time in a week.
The first time in a week, I'm using my muscles.
"Okay, my love. It's okay, we're here" Roman says calming me, comforting me while holding me up.
I feel dazed, I can't hold myself up.
My head.
Fuck, what the hell
My head falls forward but Roman quickly grabs me and makes me lean against his chest.
My eyes close as Roman mutters some comforting things in my ear.
"I don't feel good" I cry pained.
This is worse than breaking bones while being set on fire.
"I know, it'll be over soon" Elijah says before pressing a small kiss to my head.
Roman caresses my cheek lovingly as Elijah cleans some wounds on my legs.
"I wanne go home. When can we go home?" I ask no one in particular.
"When you can walk" my dad states.
"I can walk so we can go home."
"You can't walk" Blake states.
"I can" I tell him.
He makes that sound that tells me he doesn't believe me so the second Elijah is done with re-bandaging, I stand up.
Well let's just say that wasn't really though through because the second I stand up I feel my legs give out.