Bratva-Ivan

Saving Each Other

Ivan

Thankfully, Olivia let me hold her. Sure I wanted to for selfish reasons. I missed her and wanted nothing more than her warmth. But I also held her together at this moment. Her eyes hadn't left the double doors they pushed Clown through 10 minutes ago. Her breathing was ragged. Like she was trying to stay conscious. I knew she had to be tired.

Her body was covered in bruises. And worst of all, I could see the very clear hand prints under her shorts on her inner thighs. Her lip was split open and her eyes swollen. The nurses had insisted that she get checked out, but of course she declined. Not until she knew Clown was OK.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on that fu*k. My guys had him securely and very much alive in our cages.

The staff looked at us like we had multiple heads. I could tell they wanted to call whatever this was in, but somehow the Irish prevented any calls. They obviously had a big presence here. Guessing this is where they brought their wounded.

Finally, after what felt like hours, a nurse slammed through the double doors.

"Anyone know their blood type? Your friend is O+. Hard type to match. We need blo*d now, and we don't have the type needed here. We can't transfer him to a larger facility until we have him stable!"

Everyone looked at each other. Many of us did know. The risk of anyone being severely injured in both Bratva and the MC was high. I know Alex as a nurse had made sure most of us knew. Men started shouting out blood types. AB, B+,A-. The nurse shook her head, going from person to person.

Then Olivia shot out of my lap. O-! She ran to the nurse. She must be a match because the nurse took her hand and rushed back through the doors.

Well sh*t. What luck.

Olivia

I ran alongside the nurse through the hallway and into what would appear to be a lab. My legs were on fire. Every step burned. My head was throbbing, and I wanted to collapse, but nothing else mattered.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You're injured, honey this is going to take a lot out of you. We'll have you hooked up to an IV and banana bag. But you'll still be significantly weak."

And I knew that. I didn't give a sh*t. Clown saved me. They all did. I'd do it for any of them, but Clown was my brother. Of course, I would step in. I had already faced he*l. This wasn't going to stop me.

"I'm sure. Do what you have to. Just please save him. He saved my life."

She smiled and nodded. Getting to work immediately. Half an hour later and many tubes of blo*d later I started to fall asleep. They had slowed down on the draws, so I was hopeful he was maintaining his blo*d levels. My eyes slowly shut when I heard the door open again. Waiting for the nurse to approach, I sighed. And then I felt a calloused hand touch my cheek. Ivan.

"Sleep princess. Well be here when you wake up.all of us."

"No. I can't. Not until he's safe. Not until I know he'll be ok." I felt the hot tears running down my cheeks. Burning the broken skin on my face.

He sighed. "They said he's almost stable. They'll transfer him to the trauma center in the city soon. But I need you to be safe too, my love. I can't live without you." He wiped the warmth from my cheeks. I flinched.

He drew his hand back like I slapped him. I felt terrible. I wasn't repulsed by his touch at all. If anything, I was starving for it. I just wasn't used to reacting to touch in a negative way in weeks. Or was it months? I wasn't sure anymore.

"Can I lie with you princess?"

Of course, he could. All I wanted to do was wrap myself in him. His warmth. His security. The only thing that kept me going was the thoughts of him and my sweet Valentina.

"Please?"

I wasn't sure how this bohemoth of a man was going to manage to squeeze his way in, but he did. Lifting me slightly, he nestled underneath me. Cautious of the lines tethering me to the IVs. And before I knew it, I was out. His soft touches stroking my back pulled me under.

I woke up in a panic. Memories flooded my mind. Miguel. Clown. Ivan. Strong arms held me still, and I almost freaked the fu*k out. But the gentle kiss to my temple grounded me.

"It's OK babe. It's me. You're safe." I instantly relaxed. But the thought of Clown made my throat tighten. Where the fu*k was he?

"Clown made it through surgery." Of course, he knew where my mind was. "You saved him. They transferred him last night. We'll go visit him as soon as you're stable."

I sat up, pulling at my IVs.

"God da*nit Olivia stop! We have plenty of men with him giving us minute by minute updates. I won't let you hurt yourself anymore. You give it a few hours, woman, or I'll strap you down myself!"

"Fu*k off Ivan! You have no idea what I've been through! If I lose him I won't be able to live with myself!"

A nurse walked in gripping a clipboard. Eyeing us both. She probably heard us yelling. And frankly, that wasn't a good thing. The shape I was in and the anger in our voices probably didn't paint a good picture to the outside world.

"Everything OK?" She eyed Ivan harshly. Sh*t. I didn't want her to get the wrong idea. He would never hurt me.

"Sorry, my boyfriend wants me to stay put. I'm just a little anxious about my brother."

Her features softened. "Mr. Standing Deer is going to make it. He made it out of surgery. They were able to resect his bowel and remove part of his liver. He'll survive. Thanks to you. Now I have to agree with your boyfriend. You need to rest, at least until we can get your electrolytes back into the normal range. Your sodium is dangerously low."

I didn't get lost on the Standing Deer name. He was native? I had no idea. Makes sense. His skin tone. His long dark hair. The beautiful beaded bracelets he wore. I felt like an i***t. How did I never even ask? How selfish of me.

Clown

I woke up surrounded by my brothers. Each of them looked tired. Not to mention Ivan's guys. I searched the room for the one person I wanted to see.

God, I hope she was OK.

Hatchet must have seen my face, searching the room.

"She's OK, man. She'll be here soon enough. Ivan couldn't keep her away if he tried."

Relief flooded my veins. She was safe. Thank fu*k.

"She saved your life. She was the only one that matched your blo*d type and jumped right in, despite the shape she was in. Ivan's bringing her by shortly. They should be here any minute. I will say what you did was stupid man. You literally jumped in front of a bullet. So both of you stubborn as*holes saved each other I guess. And are on my sh*t list."

I could tell he was kidding. Kind of. He wasn't surprised by what we did, but like the dad he was, he was scared. Then the door to the room burst open. Olivia looked like a wild animal. Hair a mess, bruises covering her face. She looked like she had gone ten rounds in the ring. Our eyes connected and she burst into tears.

She carefully launched herself at me. Sort of. It still hurt like he*l, but I could barely register it. I just held her. Squeezing her tight. She sobbed into my shoulder. She felt so small. I could feel her bones through her skin.

"I got you smalls. I'm ok. And now I need you to be OK." She just nodded.

And I knew she would be. She was strong. She fought. Just like the sister I lost. And I'd always protect her. Something I couldn't do for Hannah.