A/N:

Hey, guys! Thanks for all of the amazing reviews! You all are great and very encouraging. I hope you enjoy this chapter! See you soon! =)

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to Richelle Mead.

The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story are owned by Ms. Belikov. Please do not copy, reproduce, or translate without express written permission.

Warning: This Chapter is rated M for very strong language and violent scenes.

Previously on Cop and Attitude...

The paramedic finished wrapping my ankle in a protective brace. "That will help support some of your weight so you won't put so much strain on it." he said. "It's only a sprain. It should heal and be back to normal in a few weeks. Just make sure you apply ice and get plenty of rest."

"Thanks." I said, standing up. The FBI was here. They had cleared out the basement and given the hostages food and water. I was still stunned at the fact that half of them were under the age of four. It was heartbreaking seeing how emaciated they were. They hadn't deserved what they'd been put through, they were so young and innocent.

I saw Dimitri speaking with a detective. He was pacing back and forth like a trapped lion ready to attack. I walked up just as the detective and him parted ways.

"You're stupid." was the first thing Dimitri said to me.

"Stop with the compliments already, Comrade. I'm blushing."

"This isn't a joke."

"You don't think I know that? I was almost killed."

"It was your own fault." he chastised, infuriating me. "Not only were you stupid enough to risk your own life. You jeopardized your partners as well."

"We saved lives! I would do it all over again if I had to." I told him. "Don't lecture me right now. I'm not in the fucking mood."

He grabbed my arm when I turned around. "You only became an officer months ago. Why are you so ready to jump into any situation and get yourself killed? You're young, unprepared, and inexperienced. Remember that next time."

I jerked out of his hold. "There were women and children in there, Dimitri! Babies! What if I was trapped in there like some kind of animal with your child? Would you just stand there and do nothing about it like you're asking me to now? Huh?"

Dimitri lifted a finger, then lowered it. He chose his words carefully. "This isn't your fight, Rose. You can't save everyone."

"Yeah, but I sure as hell can try." I shot back in frustration, dismissed him with a hand, and headed for the squad car. He followed me. Lissa was in the driver's side. I went to the passenger side.

"They both lived." Lissa said, referring to the thugs. "We didn't hit any major organs or arteries."

I had to admit that was a relief. I could sleep tonight knowing there was no blood on my hands.

Dimitri leaned down, bracing those thick arms against the car. I looked into his bottomless eyes and couldn't help but melt a tiny bit in the familiarity and comfort they brought me.

"Give me your badge and gun." he said, and my veins turned to ice.

"Why?"

"Because you're suspended for two weeks. Hand them over."

"Are you serious?"

"Does it appear as if I'm joking."

I growled and shoved them against his chest. "I can't believe you right now."

"That's what happens when you break the rules and don't follow protocol."

"What about Lissa?" I asked, hating to point the finger at her. But it seemed like the blame was always put on me.

"Rose!" Lissa gave me a what-the-hell-what-that-for push.

"She was only covering her partner." Dimitri said. "You gave her no choice."

"Whatever."

"Don't pull anything like this again." he said. "Or else you won't get your badge back."

"Who are you trying to protect?" I accused. "What are you hiding?"

"This is way bigger than you, Rose. You might have pissed off some people tonight that you really shouldn't have." he told me, and if it was anyone other than Dimitri, I would have thought he sounded concerned. "Stay out of the way."

"I have no regrets." I said, then rolled up the window on him. I told Lissa to go and she drove off.

RPOV:

"That piece of shit son of a bitch." I exclaimed. "Take my badge and gun away. Who does he think he is? Where does he get the nerve? Oh, I'm just so angry right now I could kill the man."

Lissa pulled onto the highway. She'd been listening to me rant for the passed twenty minutes on our way home. What a sport.

"He has his reasons, Rose." she said calmly.

"You know that really annoys me when you do that." I told her, crossing my arms.

"Do what?" she asked, giving a small laugh.

"Act so in control. So elegant. So unbothered and perfect."

"It's called being a lady," she responded. "Maybe you should try it sometime."

"Lissa, I ought to punch that stupid grin right off your face."

She laughed in a short, loud burst. "You don't scare me. You don't even have a gun anymore, loser."

I rolled my eyes. "You're lucky I love you so much"

There was a comfortable silence for a few moments until she decided to break it.

"Don't be so hard on Dimitri." she said. "He did what he believed was right, and frankly, I agree with his decision."

"Pull over and get out of the car, Liss. You're walking home."

"Rose. I'm being serious."

"Why are you defending that asshole?" I demanded with disgust. "That piece of shit son of a—"

"He only cares about you." Lissa interrupted rationally. "Just please promise me you'll give him half a chance to explain. Don't shut him out."

I pressed my lips together tightly, feeling stubborn. I sighed in defeat. "Fine. But only because I'm horny and want to get some tonight."

"Ew, Rose!"

The bed moved. The blankets stirred. I felt the warmth of Dimitri's presence before I opened my eyes. I groaned and tossed, pretending my peaceful rest had been disturbed, when in reality I hadn't slept a minute without him by my side.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "This isn't your home. I didn't invite you here tonight."

The lamp clicked on. Dimitri was in his uniform. He began undressing.

I read the alarm clock. "It's nearly four in the morning. Where have you been?"

"Dancing for tips again at the club." he said, kicking off his boots. "It's just something on the side. I do it because I need the money."

He looked absolutely exhausted. I couldn't help but become immediately concerned. This man meant so much to me. I loved him like no other. I hated when he worked too hard, when he stressed so much. I decided to swallow my pride and forget about what had happened between us earlier. For now, at least.

"Come here." I said once he'd stripped down to his black boxers. Dimitri all but collapsed on the bed. I wrapped my arms around him and just hugged him for a long moment, simply enjoying being with him.

"I missed you." Dimitri murmured, grabbing my hand. He placed a kiss in the center of my palm.

"You better have." I smiled down at him. He flashed perfect white teeth. God, I loved his smile. The one he reserved only for me. "I missed you, too."

He turned around and placed his head in my lap. He pressed two lingering kisses to my thigh. I ran my fingers through his silky shoulder-length hair, and he instantly relaxed.

"Dimitri?" I whispered.

"Hmmm." he replied, half coherently. I could tell he was falling fast asleep. I didn't want to keep him up for long.

"You're banned from sex for two weeks."

He chuckled, low and rich in his throat. "Payback, I presume?"

"Yes. You deserve it."

"Sure." he said, dosing off. "We'll see how long you last."

I laughed, running my fingers up and down Dimitri's muscular back. The steel cords rippled under my touch. He melted against me, so comfortable and trusting. If I had it my way I'd be honored to take care of him for the rest of our lives together, always being there whenever he needed support and love.

I turned off the light, pulled the covers over us, and rested against his warm body, knowing I was entirely safe and protected.

"I love you, Dimitri." I told him, but he was already asleep. The instant I closed my eyes I was out.

I wrapped the plush towel around my body and stepped out of the shower. Dimitri was right behind me. I went to brush my teeth as he dried off.

"What's wrong?" he asked, rubbing droplets of water off his arm.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're taking this entire thing very well." Dimitri said, suspicious.

"So?" I laughed. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"Yes, it is." he replied. "But it isn't you. You have me very worried."

I gurgled the minty mouthwash until my eyes stung, then spit. "No need to be concerned. I've had time to cool off. Rules are rules, and you did your job. I've accepted that." I told him.

He narrowed his eyes, not buying it. "When something seems too good to be true it usually is."

I walked over and wrapped my arms around him, teasing, flirting, placing slow kisses up his neck. "Are you saying you don't trust me, Comrade?

"No." Those dark eyes pierced right through me, but I had succeeded in distracting him. Never underestimate the power of seduction. "I just think you are withholding the truth."

"Nonsense. I'm only suspended for two weeks. It'll be over before I know it." I pulled away and went into the bedroom. "Then officer badasss will be back."

Dimitri gave me a long and hard look until I began to squirm under his scrutiny.

"What is it?" I snapped, annoyed.

"Do you think I was born yesterday? I'm not stupid, Rose." He opened the bedroom door. "I need coffee. Remember that I am keeping a very close eye on you."

"You can extend that no sex suspension to three weeks now!" I yelled.

Dimitri gave a heart stopping smile and slammed the door shut.

I stepped out my car and cautiously walked up the driveway, heading for the house. I was careful to keep an eye on the world going on around me. The thugs may still be in the Intensive Care Unit, but that didn't mean any of their friends or neighbors couldn't show up and whoop my ass.

I made my way around the left side of the house, steering clear of Killer in case that bloodthirsty demon was there. I tried the front door with no luck. The side door was also locked. There was no way I was going to try the back. I tried the nearest window, pulling on the metal bars. I shook them in uncontained frustration. "Jesus Christ!"

"You know, you really shouldn't use the Lords name in vain like that." A child's voice nearly made me jump out of my skin.

I looked to my left and discovered a Hispanic boy staring at me. He had to be no older than twelve. He had on a white tank top, baggy jean shorts, and black converse sneakers. I noticed a gold chain and cross hanging from his neck.

Oh, boy. I'd probably just offended the entire community. I was so dead.

"Look, kid. I'm really sorry about that. Do you think we could forget about all of this if I promise to never talk like that again?"

"Sure, I don't care." The kid shrugged and bounced his basketball a few times. Then he just stared at me.

I looked back at him.

"Mama says Jesus is our only hope." he said, bouncing his basketball again. "It's hard to believe her sometimes though, you know? If Jesus was really all that great he wouldn't have put her and my brothers in this fucking piece of shit neighborhood, you know what I mean?"

"You need to watch your mouth." I said, shocked such a young kid could use such strong language so casually.

"My apologies, ma'am." he said. "Got a cig?"

I was shocked. "No, punk! I don't smoke."

He stuck out his hand, smiling. "My name's Angel."

"Rose." I took it. "Now buzz off, kid. I have business to take care of."

"Whoa. Chill out, honky." Angel put his hands up. "I'm not trying to bother you, you know?"

"Did you just call me honky?" I exclaimed.

"Does gringo sound better?"

"Smartass."

"What kind of business do you have with Garcia?" Angel pulled a toothpick out of his pocket and pinched it between his teeth.

"You know these guys?" I tried the second window, hoping it would somehow give. Nothing. Same with the third and last available window. I contemplated kicking in the front door, but that would cause too much disturbance and draw unwanted attention.

"Older cousins of mine."

"Sorry."

"No worries, honky."

I glared at him.

"You look like you're burning yourself out there, girl." Angel gave a cocky smile I wanted to slap right off his face. "I don't want you to break a nail. Need some help, pretty little thing?"

"Stop calling me those stupid nicknames." I said. "And yes. Do you have a key?"

"Nope. Give me one of those things in your hair."

"Huh?"

"Bobbi pin."

"Oh," I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair. "Here. Don't tell me you know how to pick a lock—oh you are such a badass. I envy you."

Again with that confident, infuriating grin. "Thanks, honk—"

"Don't ruin the moment."

Angel focused on his task, little tongue stuck out in concentration. I waited several moments, trying my best to be patient, when I heard a little click. The door creaked open. I swear I could kiss the kid right now.

"Thank you! Thank you!" My arms snapped out and I crushed him in a hug. He smiled shyly and blushed.

"No problem, girl."

I headed inside. Angel was right on my tail.

"You planning to follow me around like a puppy dog all day, kid?"

"Oh, you think you can get what you want from me and be done? Typical woman you are."

"All right, fine, come on. Just be quiet and watch your back. I'm no babysitter."

The house was empty. I searched it from top to bottom and turned up with nothing. The area where the women and children were kept had been cleaned out. It was disappointing and discouraging to say the least, but I couldn't stop now.

"Has anybody been here since the raid?" I asked Angel.

He shrugged, tossing his basketball in the air and catching it. "That one fine ass girl came back, but I think it was only to check on her grandpa, you know? She helped him in her car and left. Nobody's seen her since."

"Ilianna?"

Angel nodded.

"Did she used to come around here much?"

"Sure, I guess you can say that."

"How often?"

"Like once a week. She didn't stay very long, though. Just brought groceries and left. It was kind of weird."

"Anyone else make visits like that? Where they didn't stay very long?"

He shrugged.

"Angel, please, I need to know this. It could really help me out. If there's anything you know, just please, tell me."

"A white Range Rover," he told me. "Didn't come here very much. Maybe once a month, if that. It's hard not to notice a car like that here, you know what I mean? Stands out like sore thumb. Anyways, my friends and I used to dare each other to jump in and drive off. Like steal it, you know? But the sucker never once got out of the damn thing. Just kept it running in the driveway the whole time."

"Did you ever see the man?" My heart was racing. I knew who it was.

"Nah. Tinted windows." Angel said. "I think he was giving Ilianna and my cous' money, though, you know? Or maybe drugs. He would only roll down the window enough to give them something and then he was gone."

"Did you ever get a license plate number?"

"Huh? No." he laughed. "Man, you white people are crazy. Always worrying about stupid shit like that."

"Hey," I shot him a look. "Watch your mouth when you're around me."

"My bad. Got a cig?"

"No. Damn, kid. How old are you?"

"I'll be thirteen next month."

"You need to knock that shit off." I told him, reaching into my pocket. I pulled out a fifty and handed it to him. "Thanks for everything. You never saw me."

Angel grinned. "I got you loud and clear, girl. I'll close up for you here."

"See you!" I raced out of the house and jumped in my car.

I tried my best to be quiet as I unlocked the front door to my apartment and crept in. It was nearly twelve at night. I held in my curse when my shins clocked against the coffee table. I swear those things were designed for that.

The lights snapped on. Dimitri was standing there. He was shirtless and had only a pair of black sweatpants on. I would have thought he was damn sexy had I not had a mini heart attack.

"Ah, shit." I cursed. "Hey comrade, just got back from a little grocery shopping."

"At this hour?" he crossed his arms. I didn't miss the fact that his lips twitched because he was trying hard not to smile.

"Are you kidding? Of course. This is when you get the best deals."

"Where are your bags then?"

"In the car."

"Rose." He used that no nonsense tone.

"Okay, okay." I threw my hands up and dropped down on the couch, exhausted. "I'm busted. Go on. Yell at me. I knew you were following me to the house. I had a feeling I was being watched."

Dimitri came over and kneeled down so we were at eye level. "That was your paranoia, Roza. And that was easier than I thought it would be. I didn't have to do any work to make you confess."

"Ah, shit." I said again, realizing I'd completely given myself away.

"Why would you do that when I specifically asked you not to?"

"Just because you say jump doesn't mean I will, Dimitri." I said. "Besides, I'm alive, right?"

"Your stupidity shocks me sometimes, Rose. It truly does."

I gasped, instantly enraged. "How dare you."

"Do you have a death wish?"

"I'm just trying to help Tasha and Mason. They deserve justice. Have you forgotten what he did to us?"

"You must be out of your damn mind." He stood up straight, towering over me. "I know you're just trying to help. But there's a better way to do this."

"How?"

"With my help."

I beamed. "Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Does that mean I get my badge and gun back?"

"No."

"Oh."

"What did you find out today?" Dimitri asked, taking a seat beside me. He grabbed my legs and set my feet in his lap.

I began to tell him everything that had happened today, including Angel, Ilianna's part in all of this, and the white Range Rover with the sporadic visits.

He listened calmly and patiently to me. I was relaxed by his long, graceful fingers running up and down my calves, massaging, caressing. I didn't think he even realized what he was doing. It seemed to be such a natural thing for him, like he enjoyed having me close, like he was comforted and calmed by my mere presence and touch.

That knowledge made my heart fly like a bird in my chest. It was such an amazing, overwhelming feeling knowing you had someone in your life who cared so much about you. Someone you were so meaningful to. Someone who would always be there for you, even during all the highs and lows.

I smiled and turned around so my head rested in his lap. He instantly began slipping his fingers through my hair, a hard, thoughtful expression on his face.

"What's the matter?"

"I want you to be a part of this," Dimitri said, then paused to mutter something in Russian. "But I can't have you get hurt. I won't allow it."

"You can't protect me from everything, Superman."

"Watch me."

I laughed. "What do you have planned?"

"You will come with me tomorrow. We'll stake out the area after dark."

"Thanks for letting me be apart of this."

"Like you would have it any other way, you obstinate woman," Dimitri leaned down and kissed my forehead, before picking me up and carrying me to my bedroom. "Besides, it's better than having you running out there alone and getting yourself killed."

"That's true." I said as he placed me on the bed. He then began to undress me, starting with my shoes and socks. He handed me some comfortable shorts and a fresh t-shirt. I slipped them on quickly, loving how caring and gentle my Russian god could be at these rare times.

"What are you thinking about?" I murmured, breaking the silence in the dark. We were under the comforter, me tucked in his side.

"Nothing. Get some sleep."

"Tell me." I whispered. "Please."

"Honestly?" he asked me. "That time when I found you and Tasha in Ambrose's room."

I instantly cringed when I heard the words. It was hard not to be consumed by the haunting memories. All the images and sounds of the blood, pain, and screams ran through my mind, suffocating me. I remembered Tasha's lifeless ice-blue eyes just seconds after Ambrose tragically and abruptly ended her life. It was something that would stick with me until the day I die.

"I have to find him."

"We have to find him." Dimitri corrected, pressing his mouth to the top of my head. "You're not alone in this."

"Thank you." I managed to find my voice. "Were you scared when you found us like that?"

"Scared does not begin to describe what I felt."

"What did you feel?"

"Helpless. In those moments when I believed you were gone, I felt like I had lost it all. There was nothing left for me. I had failed in protecting you. I had failed in everything I had ever promised you." Dimitri's voice was raw and gravelly, his Siberian accent thicker than ever before. "Never again will I let that happen to you. Never again."

His words brought tears to my eyes. I swallowed on a huge, painful lump. This was the first time I had seen Dimitri so emotional, so open, so vulnerable. It made my heart burn. "I'm sorry that I put you through that."

"You are crying."

"No, I'm not!" I tried to laugh it off. My voice sounded strange because of my stuffy nose. "There's something in my eye. That's all—oh who am I kidding. Big girls cry, too!"

"It's nothing to be ashamed of." he told me, and I stuffed my face in his warm chest. He locked his arms around me and held me my while I cried. He tickled my back, soothing me to sleep. I began to dose off. My eyes were impossible to keep open, like two heavy weights.

"I love you, Dimitri." I mumbled, before everything went dark. I swore I heard him say back, "I love you too, Roza."

Dimitri, my new partner, and I watched the Garcia house for weeks. We came across absolutely nothing except for the occasional house party the thugs held. There was no Ilianna, no white Range Rover, and no Ambrose. The leads the police station had been receiving had run dry. And to make things worse, Angel and his family had moved from the neighborhood, so I had lost my only source of information and insight. I felt like we were running circles around ourselves. We were right back at square one.

The weeks turned into months and still nothing. It was now the middle of winter. Christmas was weeks away. I wanted to get some shopping in and head home.

"I'm ready to give up, Comrade. There's nothing here." I said, munching on a bag of salty chips. "We're wasting our time. We need to be looking somewhere else."

He lowered the binoculars from his face and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Nothing happens over night. Patience, Rose."

I sipped on some sprite. "Patience while the bad guy is only getting further away from us? I don't think so. What we're doing now is helping him."

"It was your choice to follow this lead."

"I know that, and now I'm telling you it was a mistake." I told him, staring out the window. There was only one light on in the house. Killer was snoozing soundly on the ground near the fence. Damn, I hated that dog so much. The Rottweiler scared the absolute hell out of me.

Dimitri didn't say anything. He just continued to keep an eye on the target through his binoculars.

"Please, Comrade." I whined, pouting. "I want to go home. I'm starved and cold."

He watched me from the corner of his eyes. "Don't stick your bottom lip out like that."

I grinned. "Why not?"

"Because it'll get you in trouble," He was still all business, but it was faltering. Time to break him down a little bit more. I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed over the seat.

"What are you doing?" he asked as I settled into his lap.

"What does it look like?" I said, kissing his neck. "I'm freezing and want to get warm. I heard body heat is the best way."

I unbuttoned the shirt of his uniform and removed his belt and holster. That thing could be so heavy and annoying and in the way at times. But it could also save your life. I removed mine and tossed it on the empty seat.

When I went to reach for Dimitri's zipper, he put his hand over mine, stopping me. "Don't start something you won't finish," he warned, breathing heavy.

"Oh, trust me, Comrade. I have every intention of doing exactly that." I told him, and there was no turning back. Moments later, we collapsed against each other, sweaty and breathing hard.

"Are you warm now?" Dimitri teased, playfully nibbling on my shoulder with his teeth.

"A little more than warm," I laughed and tensed when his whole body went rigid. "What is it?"

"Get dressed. Now." He lifted me off him and set me in the passenger seat like I weighed nothing. I looked up. A white Range Rover had just pulled in the driveway of the Garcia house.

"Holy shit." I said, buttoning my pants. I looked over at Dimitri. He had already buttoned up his shirt and fastened his belt. Damn, he was quick.

The Rover parked and cut the engine.

I went for the handle of the door.

"Wait." It was a stern command, and I didn't dare disobey.

The man stepped out from the driver's side, shockingly, and was met by one of the thugs. I recognized him as the one who had nearly stabbed me right before Lissa had put a bullet in him.

The man who had been driving was wearing black jeans and a dark hooded sweater. He spoke with the thug, keeping his head low and covered. But he made a mistake. He turned around for a split second, like he knew he was being watched, and the shadows and clothing failed in hiding him.

It was Ambrose.

I didn't have any thoughts in that moment. All the training I'd had, all the lessons I'd learned from Dimitri on being cautious and careful, all the instinct I'd had in my body flew out the window. I jumped out our car and ran towards him with one goal in mind: to kill him.

"Goddamn it, Rose. No!" Dimitri yelled, but it was already too late. We were out in the open. And we'd been seen. There was no going back now. Shots rang out as the thug pulled out his gun and started firing.

I dropped behind the Rover, seeking cover. I watched the thug walk around the vehicle. He came around and I swept his feet out from under him. I straddled him and reached for my gun. I tapped a few times, coming back with nothing. Panic settled in. I looked down. Nothing was there. I'd left my belt and gun in the car like an idiot. I was completely unarmed.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shittttttttt.

I looked back at the car across the street. It was too far away.

The thug thrashed wildly underneath me, trying to throw me off. I only had a split second to act. I grabbed hold of his bald head, brought it up, and cracked it against the ground. He got knocked out cold. I grimaced, hoping I hadn't killed him.

I was ripped off him. Dimitri brought me near the fence, shielding me with his body. His eyes were black and he was sweating and breathing hard. "I can't believe what you just did," he said. "You are going to get us killed. Here," he held up his gun. "Take it—"

I heard a vicious, raw growl. Killer sunk his teeth into Dimitri's arm and dragged him to the ground. My heart sunk. I knew any second the Rottweiler could get a hold of his neck and kill him. I scrambled for the gun, feeling for it in the grass with my hands. It was dark. I couldn't see shit.

A hand sunk into my hair and yanked me to my feet. I cried out in pain. I looked up into the enraged eyes of Ambrose.

"You fucking bitch," he growled. "Why the fuck couldn't you leave well enough alone?"

"Because you killed your brother and Tasha," I replied, gasping when he jerked even harder on my tresses. It was a wonder he hadn't pulled them all out.

"Some people open their mouth when they shouldn't. It was their fault." He cracked the bottom of his gun against my mouth. I tasted warm liquid and salt. "They deserved it."

"Fuck you."

Something hard and blunt shoved against my stomach. I heard a deafening sound that rang in my ears, and I knew I had just been shot, but I felt absolutely nothing. Maybe it was because I knew my time was coming soon. I heard your last few moments were supposed to be peaceful. That's exactly how I felt. I wasn't scared of Ambrose. I wasn't sad. I didn't hurt. And I wasn't afraid of dying.

I just accepted the situation as it was.

"You may have escaped me once," Ambrose smiled, baring his teeth. "But it looks like your luck just ran out, baby girl."

He raised his arm, pointed the gun at my head, and pulled the trigger.

Everything went black.

DPOV:

I barely managed to grab the gun. I aimed and silenced the dog. Getting to my feet, I realized just how much blood I had lost. The entire side of my arm was raw. I knew there were ripped tendons and muscles and broken bones, but I was blessed that the animal hadn't reached my throat.

I heard a shot. A sinking feeling of dread washed over me. I picked the gun up with my good hand and ran to the front of the house. What I saw made my heart drop to the pit of my gut.

Ambrose turned around and came at me. I ended his life with one bullet to the forehead. He fell flat on the concrete.

I dropped to my knees next to Roza and rolled her body over, brushing her curly hair away from her face. There, on her temple, was a perfect entry point. Lines of crimson dripped down her cheek and throat. I brought her limp, cold body into my arms.

"No. No. No. No…" I growled, refusing to believe it. "Goddamn it, Roza! You're not fucking dead. You wouldn't do that to me."

With uncontrollably shaking, bloody hands, I radioed for backup and ambulances.

Then I broke down.

"Damn it. You can't do this to me." I begged her, lightly patting her cheek, trying to make her wake up. My vision went blurry and I frantically blinked. I needed to see her right now more than ever. She was so beautiful and innocent it took my breath away. I kissed her forehead and the smooth skin of her cheeks and lips.

"I can't lose you, Roza."

I looked up into the sky as the love of my life lay dead in my arms, and screamed until my lungs collapsed.