Roman knelt by his friend. “You’re not getting out of this that easy.” Palm over the blunt end of the shaft of wood, Roman pulled. The stake fell to the side covered in blood. It soaked what was left of her dress and poured over the ground in rivulets.
Lucian dropped to his knees, Roman taking all his weight. “Don’t you fucking die!” He hauled Lucian into him. Tears streamed down her cheeks and Roman’s swam with the same pain barreling through her chest.
She couldn’t breathe. God, please don’t take him.
She helped hold Lucian’s weight. “God, please, don’t die. I fall in love with you for you to die, Lucian. Do you hear me! Please, please, please, don’t die.” More blood spilled over her hands where she tried to compress the wound.
He gave a weak but bloody smile.
His eyes glassed over, and she knew that look.
Pain ripped deep within her, sharper than a thousand blades, stealing her breath. So profound, tearing at an untouchable part of her soul only reachable by her men.
She stumbled, gasping for air. Her vision blurred. “He’s dying! We have to do something!”
“Go! Go find Sevastyan and Matteo. Go now, woman!” Roman shouted, the pain in his eyes crackling. He hauled Lucian into arms and rose to his feet. “I’ll take care of Lucian. Go and don’t stop until you find them.”
On nights like tonight sides were chosen and she hoped like hell her guardian angel hadn’t abandoned her just yet.
She tore across the gravel, ignoring the stings of pain digging into flesh. “Please don’t take him from me.”
The skies opened and the heavens met her hell.