Slowly, she blinks. Her lips part, then her features contort
with pain.
I dart back up and lean over her. "Mariya."
She gasps, and tears start to sneak from her eyes. Her sight seems to focus on my face, then she groans, "Hurts." My head snaps to the nurse, who's moved closer to check
the vital signs on the machines. "Give her something." "Don't worry, Mrs. Cotroni. You'll feel relief soon," the
nurse assures Mariya.
My attention turns back to my wife's face, and I watch as she becomes drowsy. Her eyes meet mine right before they close.
Fuck. The painkillers knocked her out.
"Sleep is the best thing for her," the nurse reminds us.
Knowing there's nothing I can do, I follow Viktor out into
the hallway. "Please give me good news."
"We're dealing with two different syndicates."
I frown at my friend. "What the hell?"
"It's the reason we've been all over the place. Word is, whoever takes you down gets the seat of power for Europe."
I give Viktor an incredulous look. "Are you kidding me?" He shakes his head. "All of this is because of a fucking game between two gangs."
A fucking game to see who can kill me first. What the ever- loving fuck?
"This is insane," I mutter.
"At least now we know what we're dealing with." Viktor's phone starts ringing, and when he checks it, he hands it to me. "For the love of God, talk to Nikolas. The man is worried about you."