The emergency medical team arrived within minutes, professional hands assessing Louis's injury with efficiency that allowed no room for Ral's hovering panic. The bullet had passed through shoulder muscle without striking bone or major arteries—painful and requiring surgery, but survivable with proper treatment.
"She needs hospital immediately," the lead medic stated, already preparing Louis for transport. "Blood loss is moderate but increasing. We stabilize en route."
"I'm going with her," Ral said, not a question but an absolute statement that brooked no argument.
Nikolai nodded acknowledgment. "Elena will accompany you. I coordinate cleanup here and ensure Dmitri's remaining assets cannot flee jurisdiction."
The ambulance ride through Moscow's streets passed in surreal blur—sirens wa
