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Tilting my head as far as I can with my father’s hand still covering my mouth, I watch as Vadim barks out a laugh. The arrogance that shines in his dark eyes. The conceited tip of his chin. It tells me all I need to know. He thinks he has won.
“Strong words for a man who is clearly at a complete loss. You have no weapons. You are outnumbered. Is one pussy really worth all this?” His hand darts out and he pushes my father away. I suck in a breath, flinching back when Vadim runs a finger down my face. My eyes snap to Nico’s, but he doesn’t see me. His gaze follows the trail of Vadim’s digit as it caresses my cheek. “Maybe I will work out another deal with Mr. Caldwell and keep your whore for myself. I’m sure you have broken her in well. I have heard the rumors of your…” he trails off, his eyes sparking. “Proclivities. And let’s just say, we have very similar tastes,” he smirks sinisterly. “Though mine are probably a little darker. But she will get used to it and even learn to like it.”
My heart stutters, then kicks up to an unnatural speed. It thumps against my ribcage in harsh beats. Bile fills my throat. The sound of blood whooshes in my ears. Fear turning my veins to ice. “No,” I whisper, shaking my head. I would rather have my father take me to Xavier Anderson then be handed over to a man like Vadim. Both are a fate worse than death, but I would sooner take my chances with Xavier over the Russian.
Nico smirks, but it’s not a nice look. He straightens. A king amongst men with not an ounce of fear on his face. “That’s good to hear Vadim. You won’t mind when I remove the finger you have on my wife’s face and plug your ass with it then.”
Vadim squats down. His face is so close to mine I feel when his hot breath tickles my cheek. He brings his free hand to my yoga pant covered leg, running it up my thigh. “Hmm, I think I’m going to enjoy breaking this cunt.” He leans in as if he is preparing to kiss me. Grimacing, I shrink away from him. His mouth opens, but it’s the vile grin, curving his lips, that has my stomach dropping.
“You–” he starts, but is cut off by the sound of gunfire.
A body drops on the concrete floor beside me, blood dripping from his forehead. I scream, all the air leaving my lungs when I am knocked to the floor by a big body. Pain shoots through me, my head snapping back at the force of my fall as the wooden chair shatters.
“Fuck,” I groan, black spots marring my vision and turning it blurry. Loud voices and gunshots are the only thing I hear through the pounding of blood in my ears. It sounds far away, but that can’t be right.
My eyes flutter shut, a weird sensation slithering into my body. I smile as images of my son and Nico flicker in my mind, like a reel. Sighing, I feel like I’m floating on air. Having an out of body experience even with the weight pressing down on me. My eyes blink open but the heaviness of my lids, the dull pain and fuzzy vision, has me squeezing them shut. Everything hurts, the images of my boys now replaced by something darker.
A small white light pulls me toward it, but it seems too far away. I can’t reach it, no matter how hard I try. The dark surpasses the light, begging me to succumb.
Before I can make sense of what is happening around me, I allow the darkness to pull me under.
I surrender to it.
Embrace it.
My son and husband, standing at the altar in their matching tuxedos is the last image to flash in my mind.
Then everything goes black.
Chapter42
Nico
“Get my wife out of here,” I scream at no one in particular, but expect them to follow my instruction, nonetheless. I hate that another man will touch her, carry her out of here, comfort her. But her safety comes first and right now, with her blacked out on the floor, amidst the ruins of the chair she was bound to, she is a hindrance to our survival.
Vadim thought he had won. Little did he know that I had an army behind me, ready to go when Gregorio gave them the signal. You see, I have a little pin on my suit jacket, one that is recording everything. My hacker knew the Russians were about to kill us and signaled my men surrounding the building to fire. Hearing his voice in my ear, I threw myself at my wife, protecting her with my body so she didn’t get hit by a stray bullet.
Pushing off Ocean’s small body, I lift her into my arms before cradling her face in one hand. Her eyes are closed but the steady rise and fall of her chest tells me she is breathing. I press a kiss to her bruised lips.
“I’m going to get us out of here, baby.” My chest tightens with every word out of my mouth, but I mean them. Enzo crouches down in front of us, lips in a tight line, awaiting my next order. I mostly ignore the fight going on around us, more concerned with getting my wife to safety and hoping my men will keep me protected.
“Take her to where Christopher is waiting in the SUV. You know the location. I will get there when I can.” He nods, circling his arms around Ocean’s body, ready to take her from me. I grit my teeth, my hands flexing with the need to punch him in his damn face, but I hold back the urge. “You keep my wife safe. You hear me?”
“I’ve got her, Nico.” He raises his voice, so I can hear him over the noise filling the warehouse.
Glancing around, I see dead bodies on the floor and looking a little closer I find it’s mainly Vadim’s men. But I don’t see Vadim, Giuseppe, or Ocean’s father which can only mean one thing. They fled. My soldiers are surrounding the building, so they shouldn’t get far. They know not to kill Vadim. Know he is mine. And I am going to enjoy every second of his death just like I told him I would. It’s been a long time coming after all.
“Aldo. Santino.” I bark through the chaos. Despite the commotion, they hear me, their focused gazes locking on mine. Carefully, stealthily and managing to avoid any bullets, they make their way over to me. “Cover Enzo. Get my wife out of here.” They nod in unison, eager to fulfil my orders. With one last glance at the fight around us and noticing we have the upper hand. I figure this is probably going to be the best opportunity to get Ocean out of here. Emotion tightens my throat when I look down at her small, beaten, limp body, in Enzo’s arms. I want to rip him away from her, but I know this is for the best. I have to finish this war once and for all. “Get out of here,” I order, making sure to cover them as they leave the room.
Watching them, I release a breath when I watch them exit the room. They still have to get Ocean to the SUV, and I can only hope they get there without issue. Deep down, I know my men will take good care of her, otherwise I would never let this happen.
A hard body slamming into me shoves any thought from me, knocking me back down to the cold, dirty floor. “Get down, Nico.” I recognize the voice as one of my men’s, but which one I’m not sure. “Fuck,” he groans, rolling to the concrete beside me. Looking over, I find Adamo, holding his side. Blood covers his hand as he holds the wound, trying to stem the heavy bleeding.
“Christ. Stay still and keep your hand where it is. One of the others will get you to safety.” He nods, not looking the least bit concerned that he is bleeding out.
Glancing around, I exhale when the gunfire finally stops, and I find at least twelve of my soldiers still standing which means the opposition has been taken out. A buzz sounds in my ears, the aftereffects of being around such loud noise. Trying to shake the irritation away, I look up to find my men now standing around me as they wait for my next orders. I bark them out, knowing I need to get out of here. One, to find Vadim and two - which is the most important reason - to make sure my wife made it to the vehicle safely. Once I have everyone in place, some carrying the injured and the rest following me, we move as a unit toward the door that Vadim and Samuel Caldwell must have escaped through. I don’t even make it through the door, before I hear growly voices and find the assholes being held by my men.
Smirking, I lower my weapon, sauntering toward Vadim and Samuel. Both will die today. I know it. They know it.
