An Unkidness

Chapter 9

Christopher lightly grasped Ravens hand as she slept. The exploratory surgery was a success. Raven had a massive laceration on her liver, but the doctor managed to find the bullet and stopped the bleeding just in time.
Christopher turned to the doorway as he heard his father enter the room. He could tell he wanted to rip his heart out.

Christopher stood and looked down as his father approached him, "You had one job." There was a long pause, "One job!" Christopher flenched at his fathers anger, but remained silent. "How could you do it? You couldn't keep your damn mouth shut for fifteen minutes?!"

Christopher's cold gaze shot up to his, "How can you let her marry Blake?! He's.."

Genadi turned away, "I know what he is! I didn't tell her about the black mail. She over heard our conversation. When I told him to go to Hell, she barged in and agreed to it. I've begged her not to do it, but she won't listen."

Christopher flexed his jaw, "I'm going to fix this."

Genadi laughed, "You can't protect her now. Don't make things worse for everyone."

Christopher barred his teeth as he leaned into his fathers face, "Coward."

Genadi cut his eyes, "Coward? Be very careful with your recklessness. It will destroy everything and everyone you hold dear."

Christopher turned away and headed home.

Genadi slowly took off his hat and sat on Ravens bedside, "moya malen'kaya ptichka" (My little bird in Russian). He gently stroked the top of her wrist so he would not disturb her IV and thought to himself, "What can I do to keep you safe?"

Raven continued to sleep through the night as Genadi never left her bedside while two men guarded her door.

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Ravens eyes slowly fluttered open as pulled out of her deep sleep. Her eyes looked to her left and she smiled at the sight of Genadi sleeping in the hospital chair. His eyes popped open when he heard her speak his name. He smiled and pressed a firm kiss on her brow, "Don't ever scare me like that again."

"Yes sir." Raven closed her eyes to his affection.

"What would my Raven like?" Genadi stroked her forehead as she laid with her eye closed.

Ravens brow wrinkled, "Kyle. I want to see Kyle."

Genadi turned to the door when he heard Kyle speak, "I'm here Raven."

Raven gasped as her eyes popped open. Kyle leaned down and hugged his sister as he cried. She rubbed his back as she hugged him, "Hey now.. That's my job."

Kyle released her from his hugged and stroked her face. Raven held back tears at the sight of him.

Genadi and Kyle stepped back as one of the nurses entered the room, "Oh. Your awake Miss Stephens. How are you feeling?"

Raven slowly blinked, "Thirsty."

"I'll go get you some water. My name is Francine if you need anything."

"Thank you." Raven spoke as she closed her eyes.

Kyle sat on her bedside as he held her hand. He turned to Genadi, "Ill stay here today and tonight. Why don't you go rest since you were here last night."

Genadi sighed as he looked at a sleeping Raven, "Tell her Ill be back soon. What ever she wants, she gets it, understand?"

Kyle beamed at him, "Yes sir."

Genadi placed his hat back on head as he shuffled out and took his leave.

Kyle frowned at the sight of his sisters state and thought to himself, "What happened to you?"

Christopher leaned in the doorway as he watched Kyle watch over his sleeping sister. He was surprised when he spoke to him, "Come on in. Your ass has a lot of explaining."

Christopher turned into the room and slowly approached the bed, "How was the flight?"

Kyle smirked as he turned his tired eyes to him, "Your private jet was nice. Thanks.."

Christopher pursed his lips as he sighed. He nervously bounced his knees as he waited for to lit into him and his stupidity.

Kyle lazily pointed to the chair, "Have a seat. She just woke up a few moments ago. Sorry you missed her."

Christopher slouched in the chair and watched Kyle rub his brow, "What happened? And don't lie to me."

Christopher leaned his head up then back to him, "I fucked up. I ran my mouth, and the bullet was meant for me. Leo tried to stop the gunman, but when he tried to deflect it, he shot her instead."

Kyle shook his head as he looked back to her, "She almost didn't make it. A little longer and she would have bled out."

Christopher flexed his jaw as he thought about Skyler refusing to help him. He knew if it had been the other way around, Raven would have done everything to help her. Even after how Skyler had treated her. They were through. Christopher then thought of Ravens fiancé, "Does Blake know?"

Kyle scoffed, "Yeah.. He said he will come see her next week. He is out on business."

"We have to stop him."

Kyle turned his shocked face to him, "How?"

Christopher wiggles his eyebrows, "I know a guy."