Chapter 4

NIKOLAI

“The evening’s off. I guess you were invited to the party? My wife isn’t feeling well, so whatever this is, come back another time.”

The man at the door, Noah, leaned against the frame like he owned the place, offering me a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

I stared at him, the only thought running through my head was bashing his head against a fucking pillar.

“Did she invite you herself?” he added.

“Yes.”

His smile tightened as he extended his hands for a shake.

“Then I apologize for the inconvenience. My wife and I—”

I took a slow drag from my cigarette, letting the silence stretch just enough to irritate him then I stepped closer and exhaled the smoke straight into his face.

“What are you?” I murmured. “A stand-in?”

He coughed lightly, frowning as he looked around me, clearly intimidated.

God, Skye has such bad taste.

“Excuse me? I’m her husband. And you are…?” I flicked my gaze over him, and then shook my head as though I \as unimpressed.

“A little introduction would do, she never mentioned you so I'm guessing—"

“Exactly. You're not worth telling things." I dropped the cigarette, crushing it beneath my boot. “Move.”

His expression hardened.

“You can’t just—” I didn’t even look at him this time.

“Dave?” I said calmly, “why is he still talking?”

That was all it took.

My assistant moved instantly, signaling the men behind him. Within seconds, Noah was restrained, his protests cut short as we pushed past him into the house.

The scent hit first, perfume, thick and eww how disgusting, the smell of sex.

Don't tell me this asshole was actually fucking another woman while his wife was somewhere in the house dying?

" Noah, who is—" I turned my eyes ahrply to her and shut my eyes for a split second.

Such filth to behold.

Delilah.

Draped across the sofa in red lace, like she’d been waiting for an audience. Her eyes widened the second she saw me.

“Who the hell are you? Where’s Noah? Why are—” I ignored her completely as my attention returned to my ohone

“Skye,” I spoke into my phone. “Answer me. Where are you??"

“Upstairs.” Her voice was rough like she was merely holding on.

Dear God, I need to get to her quicker.

“I’m here,” I reassured already racing up the stairs. “Stay awake. Do you hear me? Stay with me.”

Once I got to the top, I looked backwards and forwards. Where? Where is she?

There were two doors, One slightly ajar and the other closed. Instinct led me to believe she would be in the properly locked on2.

“Rye…” Her voice cracked through the phone, barely audible. “There’s… so much blood…”

My chest tightened and I stared at the closed door.

She's in there. I know she is.

I tried the handle, as expected it was locked.

“Dave.” I shouted. “I need something to break this door, now.”

“On it, sir! Give me 3 minutes.”

“I don’t have a minute.” I yelled back.

Stepping backwards, I swallowed hard and then rammed my shoulder into it.

It didn't budge.

I gritted, biting down on my teeth as I slammed into the door again and this time, the frame splintered.

On the third hit, the door broke open.

I hurriedly rushed in and oh my fucking goodness.

Skye lay across the bed, drenched in blood, all over her body like it was a Halloween themed party.

There was so much blood.

Her skin had lost all color, lips faintly blue, her fingers trembling around her phone like it was the only thing keeping her alive.

"That son of a bitch." I cursed, rushing over to her immediately as I hurled her up in my arms.

She was light and cold and her pupils dilated.

“Skye, I swear to everything . You had better open your eyes. Don't you dare think you'd die in my arms." I muttered, racing down the stairs.

“Skye, you’re not doing this. Not now.”

Noah was shouting again, struggling against the men holding him.

“Who the hell are you?! Put her down! That’s my—”

"You better pray she's okay."

Settling her into the back seat, I raced to the wheels and drove to the hospital immediately.

“Rye…I…” She was trying to say something but her words were slurring.

“Don't you dare pass out now. If you die on me, Skye, I swear I'll drag you back just to kill you myself. I didn't come all this way to watch you die.” I yelled, stepping on the accelerator.

Jeez. Can this car move any faster?

“I…I can't…i—”

“You freaking can, Adeline Skye Keaton. Do not test me. Stop fucking talking. You think you can bleed in front of me and get away with it? Nope.” I swerved suddenly, driving past a car I might have rammed into if I didn't keep my eyes on the road.

“You young people! Can you drive any safer?” The driver of the other car yelled after me.

Pulling up at the hospital, I didn't bother to park properly and drove the car to a halt.

Gathering her in my arms, I rushed into the hospital while the nurses provided a stretcher as they rushed her towards the emergency ward and I ran along.

“She's loosing a lot of blood.” One of the nurses yelled as a doctor raced into the ward.

“Sir, you can wait outside. We…” I glared at the nurse and she purses her lips, turning to grab something.

“What’s her condition?” The doctor asked, rushing in.

“Severe bleeding, doctor. Mostly internal. She's pale, barely conscious and Her BP is dangerously low.”

Mostly internal bleeding? There's blood all over her, how is this internal?

“Prep for IV fluids and transfusion immediately. Get two units of O-negative ready, stat. Keep monitoring her vitals. My head was spinning, it was as though I would pass out anytime soon.

Why don't you ever listen, Skye? Why did you have to marry him? My palms were sweaty—my palms are almost never sweaty— and I could feel my heartbeat in my ears.

Please, don't die. Please.

“Heart rate is dropping, she's slipping into shock.” Another nurse yelled and I stumbled backwards.

“I need suction ready, oxygen on and someone keep her calm.”

“No one better touch her like she's some fragile little thing. Keep her alive.” I yelled.

“Sir, step back. We need room to work.” I took few steps back, my vision blurring and dots appearing in my vision.

Skye, please. I haven't even told you that I returned back just for you. Please.

“Her heart rate is dropping. She's going into cardiac arrest.” One of the nurses yelled and the corner of my lips tilted up in a sardonic smile.

“BP is critically low doctor! We're losing her.” Another nurse yelled.

I swear everyone in this ward is about to die.

“Start CPR! Get defibrillator ready.” The doctor yelled.

“Skye!! I swear, you…” I screamed, running towards the bed when sole of the nurses held me back.

“Sir please, step back. We need—”

“I don't care what you need. You better keep her alive else I would make your death worse and your family won't be spared.” I yelled, moist liquid running down my eyes.

Am I crying? Holy shit! I am crying.

Beep….beep…beep.

“What…what's going on? Why aren't you doing anything anymore? Why did you stop?” I screamed at the doctor and he pulled off his face mask.

“Time of death: 4:47pm.”