Chapter 58 Maria
Maria's POV
Beeping was the first thing that I heard, even before my eyes opened.
Beep...Beep....Beep....Beep.
My eyes slowly began to open, straining to see anything. It was so blurry and so bright that it hurt my eyes.
A voice, a voice of someone I loved, was creeping into my mind, "My love, are you awake? Maria, Maria, can you hear me?"
Surely I was hearing things? He couldn't be here, could he?
Struggling to get my eyes to focus, finally, I see him.
Standing there with dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't slept in years, his hands wrapped around my right hand as if he let go, his life would disappear.
"Aleksander, is it really you?" My voice was barely audible.
"Yes, I'm here. You're in the medical room, you're safe."
Trying hard not to laugh, "Safe? Aleksander, I've never been safe since I left the diner."
As much as I cared for him, the truth was I hadn't been safe since the moment he walked into my life.
He looked like he had been struck, as if an actual physical blow had hit him.
Standing up, he walked around in a circle, like a prisoner pacing in his cell. Rubbing his hands through his hair with a pained expression on his face.
Turning around, he suddenly walked back to my bedside, leaning down, kissing me, not sweetly or lightly, but like a man possessed and claiming what is his.
Feeling the heat rising from my core, running through my body. A desire I could not ignore, even if I wanted to. Letting out a moan of pleasure, wanting more, but as quickly as it started, he pulled away, leaving my lips swollen and longing for much, much more.
Trying to sit up, I do my best to reach out for him, "Please, don't leave me," feeling tears start to fall down my cheek, "I know you do your best to protect me, I don't blame you. This is on Viktor. I'm just feeling so many emotions right now!"
With his back turned away from me, you could see the tension building in his shoulders flexing through his thin grey t-shirt.
"Maria, I understand your frustration, and I feel like I've failed you," his voice slightly breaking, "I will never let what happened today ever happen again. He tried to manipulate me, and the only thing he managed to do was to unleash the monster inside me that I hold deep, deep down."
Coming over to my bedside, taking his hand, he strokes a strand of hair away from my bruised and swollen face.
"I'm going to have a room fixed up for you in one of the undamaged areas while repairs get underway. I know you'd feel more comfortable in a bed instead of in here."
Smiling, I whispered, "Thank you."
My heart broke a little watching him walk away. My emotions are everywhere, and all I did was manage to push the only man who cares about me away.
Aleksander's POV
Walking away from her was possibly one of the hardest things I've ever done. I knew she was an emotional wreck, especially after everything that had happened to her since being at the diner.
When she said she "never felt safe," something in me just broke. I cared for her, loved her more than I probably should, being a man in my type of position and occupation.
Danger is a part of this lifestyle; not a lot of people reach my age, much less my father's age. It needs discipline, training, street smarts, being able to read people, and ruthlessness.
In my earlier years, I was ruthless, a bloodthirsty monster, chipping away, chip by chip, to build my empire, commanding and demanding respect from all those who followed me. My name preceded me in any room I walked into, and at this stage, no one would dare threaten me or those who belonged to me.
Staring down the flights of stairs, the damage to my once beautiful home that had been a refuge from all the drama in my life was now destroyed.
Rage so potent consumed me, screaming I turned and put my fist through the wall. Not even concerned about the fact that I might've just broken a bone in my hand, I start marching off to find one of the men.
After going back down into the kitchen, I find one of the men, I believe his name is Garrett. "Garrett, correct?" asked the man standing next to the coffee machine.
Looking startled at the attention, the man stood straight, just slightly short of saluting me, "Yes, Pakhan!"
Grabbing a mug from behind him, I start making some espresso. While the espresso was brewing, I looked back up at him, "I need you to find a nice room that hasn't been damaged. I honestly don't give a fuck what floor it's on, but I need the room ready within the next forty-five minutes, do you understand me?"
Putting his mug in the sink, he muttered, "Yes, Pakhan," and ran like lightning struck him in his ass.
I feel a bit relieved knowing the room for my girl would be taken care of, allowing me to focus on the task at hand.
If anyone saw my face at this moment, they would say I looked like the devil himself, but in truth, I'm plotting Viktor's death, and I'm still undecided on what to do about Alina. But in truth, the bitch is just as guilty as her father, if not more.
Clenching and unclenching my fists, I sigh and start walking towards what's left of my office. "I should've known," I smirked as the two people who get my blood pressure up, but also help me plot my revenge, were leaning up against my office door.
Dimitri and Henry, my second and third in command. My friend's brother-in-arms and a major pain in my ass.
"It's about damn time you showed up, Pakhannnnnnnn," Dimitri exaggerated. Grinning, I shove him, "It's good to see you up, you bastard."
Pointing to Henry, "Emotions were high, you did a good job under the situation." Leaving it at that, I saw Henry visibly relax.
Letting out a deep breath, "Thank God, Pakhan," he muttered, "I thought you were gonna put a bullet in my head."
Nervously laughing, he raised his arms in a shrugging motion.
"Guys, enough chit chat. We have a war to plan."
Leading them into the remains of my office, I shut the door to what has now become the war room.