Chapter 88 Chapter 88
CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT
Dimitri's POV
"Irina!" I screamed as she went limp in my arms.
"No no no," I whispered. "Not you too."
Doctors rushed over immediately.
"What happened?" One asked.
"She just collapsed," I said,my voice shaky. "Please help her."
They lifted her onto a stretcher quickly.
"She just had major surgery," a doctor said. "Her body is in shock."
"Will she be okay?" I demanded.
"We need to get her back to her room now," the doctor replied.
They wheeled her away fast.
I tried to follow but a nurse stopped me.
"Sir you need to let us work," she said gently.
"That is my wife!" I shouted.
"I know," the nurse said. "But you will only be in the way."
I wanted to argue but I knew she was right.
I watched helplessly as they took Irina away.
Now both Irina and Mikhail were fighting for their lives.
And it was all my fault.
I sank down against the wall.
My hands were still covered in Mikhail's blood.
I stared at them. They were shaking badly. I could not control them.
How had everything gone so wrong?
Just hours ago we were safe.
Irina was recovering and our son was stable.
Now everyone I loved was in danger.
I heard footsteps and looked up
Sergei approached me carefully.
"Dimitri," he said quietly. "You should clean up."
I looked down at my blood-soaked clothes.
"I do not care," I replied coldly.
"You need to stay strong," Sergei said. "For them."
"How can I be strong?" I asked, looking up at him. "When everyone is dying because of me?"
"This is not your fault," Sergei said firmly.
"Is it not?" I challenged. "I shot Mikhail."
"Because you were deceived," Sergei replied. "By people you trusted."
"That does not change what I did," I said bitterly.
Sergei sat down beside me.
"Mikhail knew the risks," he said. "He chose to protect you anyway."
"Because he loved my mother," I said quietly.
"And because he loves you," Sergei added.
I thought about all the years Mikhail had been there.
Teaching me, guiding me, protecting me.
He had been more than a godfather. He had been a second father. And I had shot him.
"If he dies," I whispered. "I will never forgive myself."
"Then make sure his sacrifice means something," Sergei said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"End this war," Sergei replied. "Once and for all."
"How?" I asked. "Ivan escaped and Viktor still has his army."
"Then we hit them where it hurts," Sergei said. "Before they hit us again."
I looked at him.
"You want to attack Viktor's estate," I realized.
"It is the only way," Sergei said. "We take the fight to them."
"When?" I asked, my face grim.
"Tonight," Sergei replied. "While they think we are weak."
I thought about it carefully.
It was risky and very dangerous. But Sergei was right.
We could not wait for them to attack again.
"How many men do you have?" I asked.
"Fifty of my best," Sergei said. "Plus your remaining guards."
"That is not enough," I said. "Viktor has over a hundred."
"Then we use strategy instead of numbers," Sergei suggested.
A doctor approached us before I could respond.
"Mr Volkov," she said. "Your wife is awake."
Relief flooded through me.
"Can I see her?" I asked.
"Yes," the doctor replied. "But only for a few minutes."
I stood up quickly and followed her. We went to Irina's room.
She was lying in bed looking pale and weak. But her eyes were open.
"Dimitri," she whispered when she saw me.
I rushed to her side.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Tired," she admitted. "What happened?"
"You passed out," I explained. "From exhaustion and shock."
"The baby?" She asked immediately.
"He is still stable," I assured her. "The doctors are watching him closely."
"And Mikhail?" She asked.
I hesitated.
"Still in surgery," I said quietly, looking down. For the second time in my life I was scared. Very terrified.
Irina reached for my hand.
"He will make it," she said. "He is too stubborn to die."
I managed a weak smile.
"I hope you are right," I said.
"What are you going to do?" Irina asked. "About Viktor and Ivan?"
"Sergei wants us to attack tonight," I admitted.
Irina's eyes widened.
"Tonight?" She repeated. "But you are not ready."
"We will never be ready," I replied. "But we cannot wait."
"What if something happens to you?" Irina asked fearfully.
"Then you and our son will be safe," I said. "That is all that matters."
"No," Irina said firmly. "You matter too."
"Irina..." I started.
"Promise me," she interrupted. "Promise me you will come back."
I looked into her eyes. I wanted to promise her. But I could not lie.
"I will try," I said honestly. "That is all I can promise."
Tears filled her eyes.
"That is not good enough," she whispered.
"It has to be," I replied gently.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"I love you," I said. "More than anything."
"I love you too," she whispered back.
The doctor cleared her throat.
"I am sorry but she needs to rest now," she said.
I nodded and stood up.
"Sleep," I told Irina. "I will be back soon."
"Dimitri wait," Irina called out.
I turned back.
"Promise me one more thing," she said.
"What?" I asked.
"If you die," Irina said. "Make sure you take Viktor with you."
Her words were fierce despite her weakness.
I smiled despite everything.
"I promise," I said.
Then I left the room.
Sergei still was waiting in the hallway.
"Well?" He asked. "What did you decide?"
"Let's attack tonight," I said firmly. "Gather the men."
"Okay, Dmitri." Sergei replied.
As he walked away my phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
I answered cautiously.
"Hello?"
"Dimitri Volkov," a familiar voice said.
My blood ran cold.
It was Ivan.
The audacity!
Rage boiled in my veins.
"You traitor," I said coldly. "Where are you?"
"Somewhere safe," Ivan replied. "But I am not calling to tell you that."
"Then why are you calling?" I demanded.
"Because Viktor wants to make you
an offer," Ivan said.
I scoffed. So this scumbag works for Viktor too.
"I am not interested," I replied, coldly.
"You should hear it first," Ivan continued. "He is willing to end this war."
"At what cost?" I asked suspiciously.
"He wants three things," Ivan explained.
"What three things?" My brows raised.
"First he wants his documents back," Ivan said.
"Second?" I asked.
"He wants Katya released," Ivan said.
"And third?" I asked through gritted teeth.
There was a pause.
Then Ivan spoke the words that made my world stop.
"He wants your son.”