Page 30 of Bound For You

Guilt instantly forms in his eyes, but I ignore him, and walk away, heading to the waiting room, hoping Sergi is back. When I stick my head out of the other door that connects with the entrance of the hospital, I see he’s the with Alexandr, hugging him. My eyes brim with tears, feeling like I’m going to lose him and that maybe it would be better that way. I would never make him choose between me and his family. When he notices me, he walks over, and I wrap my arms tightly around him, holding him for dear life, praying I never lose him. I lay my ear against his heart. I notice Dimitri and Maria looking at us, but I ignore them and close my eyes. I hold onto my love even tighter as he kisses my head.

fifteen

Sergi

We’re sittingin the waiting room, hoping for more news on Phoebe. I rub my hand through my hair. Al telling me that I have power of attorney was a shock, I hate she’s put that on me, but I also understand why. Basil can’t be allowed claim the inheritance for Selene, and he can’t have legal say over her medical decisions, either. Avery is sitting sideways on my lap, her head in the crook of my neck as I play with her hair. She’s been different since I returned from my phone call, and Dimitri and Maria keep looking over with concern. I saw them arguing on my way in. I shake my head and think back to my phone call with Juan, and sigh, placing my nose in Avery’s hair, taking a deep breath.

I walk outside the hospital, not happy leaving Avery but knowing I must make this call. I press his number, and it rings four times before he answers.

“Sergi?”

I break. I lean against the wall just off the hospital entrance and I release a cry.

“Dad.”

He takes a sharp intake of breath. “Sergi, what is it, son? What’s wrong?” And I sob. I hear someone in the background. “Is that Sergi? Is he okay? Juan what’s wrong with our son?” If I weren’t falling apart, I’d scream at her that I’m not her son.

Juan ignores her. “Sergi? Talk to me, son, what’s wrong?”

I rasp, “Its Phoebe. Mihai shot and stabbed her, and they don’t think she’ll survive.” I hear an anguished.

Juan starts to sob, saying, “No,” over and over.

“I can’t lose her, she’s my family. I can’t,” I murmur.

“Sergi, you listen to me, she’s strong, she is. I’m on my way, do you hear me? I’m on my way. I love you, son.” I sob and hang up, struggling with my emotions. I look up to the stars and fucking pray she makes it.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts when Basil comes in and I sigh. Here we fucking go. I kiss Averys head and gently lay her down on the hard seats, putting my jacket under her head. I kiss her forehead, and she smiles a little in her sleep, making me smile. Then I head toward the commotion.

Basil’s eyes are red while Selene looks smug, making me want to carve her eyes out. Fucking bitch.

“Any news?” he questions as Al gets closer. Al shakes his head, making Basil scowl. “This is fucking unacceptable. I’ll go see what’s happening.” He goes to walk away, and I stand firm next to my brother.

Al says flatly, “They won’t tell you anything.”

Basil frowns. “Of course, they will, I am her next of kin. Her father.”

Al sighs, already having enough, and I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for the fall out.

“You’re not her next of kin, and you do not hold power of attorney.” Selene pales a little, making me narrow my eyes at her, hers meet mine but she quickly looks away.

Basil laughs darkly. “No offense, Alexandr, but you two never married.”

Al smirks. “I never said it was me, Basil. You have no legal right to find out anything regarding your daughter because, four months ago, she ensured you couldn’t. The paperwork is airtight. I already spoke to her lawyer, he explained it. There’re specific instructions, including who can have knowledge, if she were ever admitted to hospital. Neither you nor Selene are on that list.”

“She fucking made Juan her power of attorney? That won’t stick, we can say she was coerced into signing it.” I chuckle darkly, getting Basil’s attentions. “This isn’t fucking funny, boy. My daughter may be dying, I need to ensure she gets the correct care and isn’t kept on a ventilator for months. She won’t want to be a fucking vegetable.”

Selene chimes in, pissing me off even more, “We also need to ensure my grandmother’s inheritance isn’t given to the wrong people.”

I smirk at her. I’m still covered in my cousin’s blood, and my rage is building. I need Avery in my arms now, so I say, “Well, considering she made all these plans behind everyone’s back, being coerced into signing shit won’t stand. And as for her being on a ventilator,ifshe makes it off the operating table, I will decide what happens with her care. Ss for the inheritance, you, Selene, will be getting fuck all.” Both Selene and Basil look at Al, confused, then look at me wide eyed.

Al states, “My woman made her blood cousin her power of attorney. Sergi gets final say, Sergi gets any inheritance, Sergi gets your house. Since he is also a blood relative to Athena, and the legal documents were personally signed by Juan in acceptance, Athena’s blood son, you two can’t do fuck all.” Selene’s face goes bright red, and Al looks at Basil. “I called you because she’s your daughter, but by the shit you just spewedabout her being a ‘vegetable,’ and Selene instantly chiming in about the inheritance, you don’t actually give a fuck. You let that bitch get in your head on the way here, as usual, listening to the evil one. Stay out of my fucking way.” He turns to take a seat, and I glare at them both.

I go back to my woman who woke up during the heat of the drama. I pick her up and sit her back in my lap, and Selene furrows her brows at me. I ignore her, placing my girl’s head back in the crook of my neck, my hand back in her hair, playing with it. Instantly, my rage is calmed. Avery’s nose moves along my neck, and she takes a deep breath, breathing me in. I close my eyes, my mind all over the place. How can I keep this precious creature safe when I failed my cousin?

Two more hours later, and the doors open again, and the doc comes in. His scrubs are covered in blood. I quickly get up. I help Avery stand and I hold her hand, following Al toward where the doctor is standing.

“It was touch and go; we lost her a few times on the table. I managed to save her bowel and her lung. Her esophagus is badly bruised, but should heal just fine, and she has a concussion from head trauma.” My heart stops as he continues, “The bullet was 1 mm from her heart. It was lodged in her chest cavity, and she’d lost a lot of blood, but she survived the surgery.”