Page 22 of Blood Moon

Viktor silently urged me to follow him as we moved closer. After a few more steps, I was able to make out a body on the floor. “Uncle Vinny!” I cried before Viktor turned and clamped his hand over my mouth.

“Shhh,” he warned before removing his hand, “we don’t know what or who’s here. Let’s see if we can get him out quietly.”

I nodded, then I stepped back against the wall, making sure that I could see everything around me while Viktor moved rubble off Uncle Vinny. It was the most space that had been between us since we’d entered the decimated building. He scooped the unconscious man up as if he weighed nothing, then gestured to me to head toward the door. Without hesitation, I followed him as he carried my uncle. I said a silent prayer that the man who’d raised me would survive, though I wasn’t sure if it was possible at this point.

We moved almost silently, keeping against the wall and stopping at every noise. As soon as we slipped out the door, the ceiling collapsed. Viktor grabbed me and ran across the street. I’d never moved so quickly before. I was shocked that he could move so fast while carrying Uncle Vinny and me.

“Are you okay?” He asked as he placed me back on my feet. My head spun from the quick relocation.

“I think so,” I replied, “but what about him?” I gestured to my uncle, who was still unconscious.

“He’s breathing, but his heartbeat is irregular,” Viktor replied. “We should get him to a hospital.”

He placed Uncle Vinny in the backseat of the car, then opened my door. “Thanks.” I wanted to say so much more. He’d just risked his life to save my uncle. I didn’t know how I would ever repay him. I had no idea how we would pay for the hospital, especially with Midnight destroyed, but I would do whatever it took to get my uncle the best care possible.

The drive to the hospital was a blur. I was caught up in what could have happened if I’d been home when the break-in occurred. Viktor made a call to the hospital, and a stretcher was waiting for us outside the dimly lit emergency entrance. After the nurses settled Uncle Vinny onto it and strapped him down, Viktor nudged me toward the entrance.

I thought we were going to fill out some paperwork for my uncle. Instead, I found myself being escorted to a room and being checked out by a doctor. “I wasn’t even inside when any of it happened,” I protested, “I’m fine, really.”

Viktor shook his head. “Physically, maybe, but you’ve been through a traumatic event. I need to make sure that you’re not in shock.”

It was touching that he cared enough to make sure I wasn’t hurt. While I was talking to the doctor, Viktor excused himself. Of course, Dr. Harper had to ask if I was being abused at home. I laughed.

“I have to ask,” he replied.

“Other than my home being destroyed for no logical reason while I was out tonight, I’ve never been close to being abused,” I countered. My parents weren’t around enough to abuse me and my uncle had always kept me at arms’ length.

As the doctor finished up his examination, Viktor returned. “Is she okay, Doc?” he asked, and I felt my cheeks get warm.

Dr. Harper nodded. “She may have a mild case of shock, but she’s still pretty feisty. You can take her home whenever you’re ready.”

“What about Uncle Vinny?” I asked, ignoring the fact that I had nowhere to go.

The doctor checked his phone before replying. “He’s stable, but still unconscious. We’re still assessing his injuries. Don’t worry. We’ll take good care of him.” The doctor didn’t seem worried, but I couldn’t help it. My uncle had taken care of me for a long time. I couldn’t bear the thought that something had happened to him.

“It’s fine. I have his room number. We can come back and see him in the morning. Come on, Delilah, let’s get you home,” Viktor gently grabbed my arm and led me from the room.

“I don’t have a home anymore. I gave up my apartment to live above Midnight. Now it’s destroyed.” Tears fell as I walked with Viktor to his car.

“Don’t worry about that. I have a place for us. We’ll get it all fixed. Whoever did it doesn’t realize that they did us a favor. After the police report is filed and the insurance adjuster checks the place out, we’ll rebuild it exactly the way we wanted. To top it off, the insurance will cover all of it. Win-win,” he claimed as he buckled my seatbelt, then his own.

“Tell that to Uncle Vinny,” I snarled before turning to stare out the window. Viktor didn’t respond.

I must have dozed off while Viktor maneuvered the car through the city streets. When the car came to an abrupt stop, I woke up groggy. “Where are we?”

“This is home for now,” he replied.

Chapter 21

Viktor

I was relieved when Delilah fell asleep in the car on the way to the cabin. Trust wasn’t an issue, but she was in shock, and I didn’t want her to freak out more by seeing where we were going. Her nap would give me time to explain before we headed back to the hospital tomorrow.

I loved the little cabin so much that I couldn’t bear to sell it after Kat died. She had never even seen it. I bought it for us when I found out she was pregnant. I wanted us to have a place outside of the city to raise the little one. Even after that dream was destroyed, I held on to the cabin.

Delilah was awake when I rounded the car to get her. I opened her door and held out a hand to help her out. “Welcome home, Myshka.”

I should have been more cautious about it, but I wanted her in my home. At the moment, I wasn't concerned with the future or what I was risking. I had to keep her safe. That was all that mattered.