His protector

Chapter 12- Kai

Two hours had passed since my call with Romeo. I remained in my seat, staring at the duble doors leading I to the operating room as if willing them to open. My leg bounced anxiously, the restless movement was the only outlet for the gnawing tension in me.

Finally, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. I glanced up to see Romeo hurrying towards me. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. The , moment he reached me, I stood up. " Any news?" He asked. His voice low and concerned.

I shook my head. "Nothing. She's still in there. It's taking so damn long!" Romeo placed a hand on my shoulder.

"She's tough, Kai. She wouldn't go down without a fight." The words were meant to reassure but there was a hint of doubt in his eyes that mirrored my own fear. Just as I was about to respond, the double doors finally swung open and doctor stepped out, pulling off his surgical mask. His expression was calm and tired.

My heart pounded in my chest as we approached the doctor. "How's she?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly. The doctor tool a breath before looking between the two of us.

"She's out of surgery. We managed to remove the bullet and repair the damage. She lost a lot of blood but we were able to stabilize her." Relief washed over my body. "She's in critical but stable condition now. We're monitoring her closely but the next twenty four hours will be crucial." The tension in my chest loosened ever so slightly.

"Can I see her?" I asked. I needed to see with my own eyes that she's okay.

"She's being moved to the recovery room. You'll be able to see her once she's settled in but she's still unconscious and will likely remain so for a while. Her body needs time to heal."

"Thank you, doctor." Romeo said.

My gaze flickered to the floor, a storm of emotions crashing inside me. Anger at the man who did this and anger at myself for letting it happen right under my eyes.

The hours that lay ahead would be long and there were no guarantees but for now, Mila survived and that was enough to keep my hope up.

••••••

The soft hum of the machines filled the dimly lit hospital room, their rhythmic beeping ,the only sign that Mila was still fighting. I slipped inside, closing the door quietly.My gaze fell on her motionless form lying on the bed, pale but not as pale as before, and hooked up to an array of monitors and oxygen tube gently placed beneath nose.Seeing her like this felt like a bunch to my chest.

I moved closer pulling up a chair beside her bed and just stared at her for a moment. I reached out taking her hand gently into mine, I just needed to feel her next to me.Her skin felt cold and her hand was small in my grip.I held it as if my touch could somehow transfer some of my strength to her.

"Hey Mila," I began. "It's me...Kai." I swallowed, my throat tightening around the words I wanted to say. "You're okay now, the doctors did a great job but you need to wake up, alright? You need to come back to me." I lapsed into silence, watching her chest rise and fall. Her dark hair was spread out on the pillow like a halo.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," I continued "I should have been more careful and expected something like this. It should have been me in your place right now." The guilt clawed at me. My free hand curled into a fist on my knee.

"I know you're strong, Mila" I whispered, tracing small circles with my thumb on the back of her hand.

The hours passed by as I stayed by her side, talking to her about everything and anything. I told her about my past, moments that I didn't thought of in years. It felt like if I kept talking I'd keep her tethered to me.

As the night wore on, my voice grew rougher but I didn't stop. I leaned closer to her, my forehead nearly touching her hand asi murmured. "You know..you're the only one who made me feel safe, like no matter what happens you'd be there. " It wasn't just that she'd saved my life but she'd become a part of it too. I couldn't imagine a day without sparring with her in the middle of the night or her cookies that she teached me how to bake.

The first rays of dawn began to filter through the window, painting the room in a pale, golden light. I hadn't moved from my spot, hadn't let go of her hand I squeezed it gently once more, my voice hoarse from speaking all night as my eyes stung, red from exhaustion. "When I first met you, when you rescued me...I was caught so off guard." I chuckled.

"You came in like a storm, you looked so determined and when your gaze fell on me? I wanted to faint right there and then." I took a breath, my gaze drifting down to out joined hands. "I couldn't stop thinking about you. At first I thought it was because you'd pulled me out of a mess. You know, that kind of admiration for someone who stepped in and stepped in and did what no one else could.." I shook my head. "But it wasn't just that. It became more. I guess you could say I became obsessed." I chuckled. "I told myself that hiring you as my bodyguard was a smart move. You were the best and I need the best if I want to stay alive with all the threats we are facing. That's the reason I gave to you, to everyone and to myself but that isn't the whole truth."

I took a deep breath. " The real reason I hired you wasn't just because I needed a bodyguard. It was because I needed you. I didn't want you to ne just some memory from that day, someone who walked away after saving my life. I wanted you close even if I had to come up with any excuse to make that happen." I sighed "I guess that's selfish, isn't it? Because of me you're lying here now and I can't help but feel like I did this to you, Mila." My eyes burned with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Mila. I'm so fucking sorry. If I hadn't been so stubborn about keeping you in my life, you wouldn't have been put in danger."

I fell silent, letting the rooms quiet settle around us. I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath, a single tear sipping down my cheek. "You have to wake up." I whispered, words trembling. "I need you to wake up  because I don't know how to do this without you."