CHOSEN BY A SINNER (Completed)

Chapter 27

Mariya

I let out a groan, the pain in my leg making it feel like the limb is being torn from my body.

My right hand feels crushed.

And breathing hurts like freaking hell.

Jesus.

Slowly I open my eyes, and seeing Luca's handsome face staring down at me, has me trying to smile through all the pain.

"Hey, beautiful," he murmurs softly.

I can't find the energy to move as I whisper, "Hey."

He brushes his fingers over my cheek, the expression in his eyes something I've never seen before.

It's warm, wrapping me in a bubble of safety. It also makes the tears rush to my eyes.

Leaning down, he presses a tender kiss to my mouth, then locks eyes with me again. "I'm so fucking proud of you, Mariya. Christ, you fought so well."

Seeing the pride shining in his eyes, my tears come faster.

Luca gently wipes them away, his gaze glued to me as if

he's scared I'll disappear.

The corner of his mouth twitches. "I have a badass wife."

I try to smile, but instead, a sob flutters over my lips as I remember what happened.

The car accident.

Ivan and Lev were killed.

The loss hits hard. They were my guards for over a decade.

Luca carefully sits down on the right side of the bed and leans over me, bracing a forearm next to me. He pushes a hand behind my head, and rains kisses down on my face. "Shh, I've got you, amore mio."

Now that I'm safe and don't have to fight for my life, I turn into an emotional mess, traumatized by what was done to me.

Breathe. You survived it. Breathe.

Flashes of the drill tearing through my skin make my heart rate spike, the machine next to my bed beeping like crazy.

"Shh." Luca locks eyes with me. "Breathe, baby. You're safe. I won't let anyone touch you again." Worry tightens his features, and he frames my face with his hands, his eyes burning into mine. "I've got you. I'm here."

I focus on getting my breathing under control as a wave of exhaustion washes over me.

"Luca," I whisper.

He gives me a comforting smile as he caresses the hair by my temple.

I stare up at the man I love. "I fought for you."

His gaze dances over my face, then he presses another tender kiss to my mouth. He shakes his head and starts to look emotional. "I wouldn't have survived losing you. Thank you for staying alive." He kisses me again, then says, "You don't have to fight anymore. I'll take care of everything. Just rest and get better."

I hear the door open, and Luca kisses me again before he

rises to his feet. The moment I see Dad, a sob sputters from me.

The intense pain throbbing in my body reflects in my father's eyes as he leans over me. He presses a kiss to my forehead, then holds still.

I try to take a deep breath of his comforting scent.

Dad sits down on the side of the bed, picks up my left hand, and holds it in both of his.

I've never seen my father this emotional before, and it only