Page 54 of Deadly Devotion

Tommy Lansky’s voice cracked through the phone, the connection slightly distorted. “Aleksandr, what happened?”

“Someone attacked Talia,” I snapped, my voice a razor’s edge. “They injected her with something, and she’s unconscious. I need to find Vic.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, the gravity of the situation sinking in. “Let me think. He could be at any of his old hideouts. He’s been flying under my radar. Word on the street is that he knows I’m aware of his disloyalty. He might be at the warehouse on Fifth, the abandoned factory near the docks, or that cabin upstate. He’s been known to use those places before. I’ll have my men search all three places.”

I nodded, my mind racing, each location forming a vivid picture. “Send me the addresses, and if your men find him, I need to be the first to know. Talia’s life depends on it.”

I ended the call, my resolve hardening like steel. “We’ll find him,” I said to Dimitri, my voice deadly calm. “I won’t let him get away with this.”

An hour crawled by, each minute stretching into an eternity, the sterile surroundings of the hospital only amplifying the tension. Finally, Dr. Daria emerged from the exam room, herexpression grave, the weight of her news pressing on her visibly. Dimitri and I rushed over, our faces etched with worry, our breaths held.

“Aleksandr, we identified the drug. It’s a powerful paralytic. She’s stable, but we’re administering an antidote through an IV. We need to keep Talia here overnight to monitor the baby and her condition.”

My shoulders sagged with relief, but my eyes remained stormy, a tempest of emotions brewing beneath the surface. “Can I see her?”

Dr. Daria nodded, her eyes softening. “Yes, but only for a few minutes. She needs rest.”

Dimitri and I followed Dr. Daria into the room. Talia lay on the hospital bed, her face pale but peaceful, an IV drip attached to her arm, the soft beep of the monitors a reassurance of life. I sat beside her, taking her hand in mine, my eyes filled with fear and determination, my thumb brushing soothing circles on her skin.

“I’m here, Talia,” I whispered, my voice breaking with emotion. “I won’t leave you.”

Dimitri stood by the door, his presence a silent reassurance, his ordinarily stoic expression softened by concern. His eyes met mine, an unspoken promise passing between us. We would stay by her side and protect her at all costs, our loyalty unwavering.

As the hours passed, my worry transformed into a fierce resolve, my eyes dark with determination. I would find Vic, no matter what it took. The man who killed Mikhail and dared to harm Talia would pay dearly for his actions. My eyes burnedwith a dangerous light, a promise of retribution that was terrifying and comforting.

Dimitri tried to get me to rest, but I refused, my gaze never leaving Talia’s face. The night dragged on, the hospital’s quiet hum a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me, each second a battle against the helplessness that threatened to overwhelm me. My mind raced, planning and calculating, my thoughts a whirlwind of strategies and scenarios. I wouldn’t rest until I knew Talia was safe and the threat was eliminated.

In the early hours of the morning, a nurse entered to check Talia’s vitals. Her movements were efficient and practiced. She gave me a sympathetic smile. “She’s doing well,” she said softly, her voice a balm to my frayed nerves. “The antidote is working. She should wake up soon.”

I nodded, my grip on Talia’s hand tightening, my eyes never leaving her face. I leaned in close, my voice a low, fervent whisper. “Come back to me.”

The nurse left the room, leaving Dimitri and me alone with Talia. The silence was heavy with unspoken fears and hopes. My eyes never wavered, and I focused entirely on her, willing her to wake up and be okay. This is my fault. I selfishly took her out of the mansion, out in the open, where Vic got to her. Guilt weighed heavily on my shoulders.

Talia’s eyes fluttered, although her breathing remained even and calm. I glanced at Dimitri, our bond strengthened by the shared ordeal. We would find Vic, and we would make him pay for this. But for now, we stayed by Talia’s side, our presence a shield against further harm, our resolve unbreakable.

Chapter 35

Talia

I woke up in the early morning, my mind struggling to emerge from the thick fog of unconsciousness. Everything around me was a blur; the sterile white walls and the incessant beeping of machines created a surreal, disorienting environment that only added to my confusion. Panic surged as I tried to remember where I was and what had happened. A sharp antiseptic smell hit my nose, making me realize I was in a hospital. However, the details were still hazy, like dream fragments slipping through my fingers.

“Talia,” a familiar voice called softly, pulling me from the edge of panic. I turned my head slowly, my neck stiff and sore. Aleksandr was there, his face a mixture of worry and relief. Hewas seated beside my bed, his hand gently holding mine, his grip warm and reassuring, a lifeline in this sea of uncertainty.

“You’re safe,” he said, his voice steady and soothing. His eyes, usually so guarded, were filled with an intensity that made my heart ache. “You’re going to be okay.”

I blinked, trying to focus on his face and ground myself in his presence. “What happened?” I managed to whisper, my throat dry and scratchy, each word a painful effort.

Aleksandr’s hand tightened around mine. “Do you remember anything?” he asked, his voice gentle but urgent. “Anything at all?”

At first, everything was a muddled mess in my mind. I shook my head slowly, frustration bubbling as I tried to piece together the fragmented images. “No... I don’t...” I started, then paused, closing my eyes and concentrating harder. Slowly, fragments of memory began to surface, like pieces of a puzzle coming together.

“I remember coming out of the restroom,” I said haltingly. “And then... I was attacked. It’s all so fuzzy, but I remember fighting a man... and then everything went black.”

Suddenly, a cold dread washed over me, gripping my heart with icy fingers. I squeezed Aleksandr’s hand, my voice trembling. “The baby!” I gasped, my eyes wide with fear. “What about the baby?”

Aleksandr’s expression softened, and he leaned closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “The baby is fine, Talia. I promise.”

“What happened to the man?” I asked nervously, my voice barely more than a whisper.