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“Where do you live?” I ask because it never crossed my mind that Demitri would go home.
“LA.”
I want to just close my eyes and jump into Demitri’s arms, but owing it to myself, I say, “I’d appreciate it if you can arrange a custodian for me. I need time on my own to make sure what I feel for you is real and not just because of everything that’s happening.”
Demitri doesn’t say anything and just tightens his hold on me.
I don’t fall asleep, my mind too busy racing from one problem to the next.
DEMITRI
After landing the plane at a private airfield, we take the armored cars Alexei arranged and head to my family’s compound.
I haven’t been back here since I left for my training after I turned twenty-one.
Christ, has it been that long?
My Uncle Michail, who’s also our accountant in LA, arranged for a caretaker to live on the property after Damien left for his training.
Alexei brings the SUV to a stop in the courtyard, and then we all get out. We came in three cars because we emptied Damien’s armory of all the weapons we’ll need.
Winter and Ariana gravitate toward each other while the men offload everything from the SUVs.
When Alexei makes a call for a meeting to be held with all the members of the Bratva, I turn to Ariana and Winter. “Winter, can you give us a moment?”
“Sure.”
Ariana moves closer to me, giving me a questioning look.
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I say, “Before we meet with Yuri and the Bratva, I thought you’d like to visit your father’s grave.”
Her eyes widen, and then sorrow ripples over her face. Her voice is somber when she answers, “Yeah, I’d like that.”
I pull her against my chest and hug her while Alexei finishes on the phone. When he tucks the device in his pocket, I let go of Ariana and say, “It will just be the three of us.” Locking eyes with her, I add, “Alexei will stay by your side. I’m afraid we can’t give you privacy when you say goodbye.”
Ariana nods. “I understand.”
As we leave the house, I tell Damien we’re heading out. The drive to the cemetery is quiet, and my attention is focused on our surroundings. I won’t be surprised if Yuri has someone watching Sergei’s grave.
It’s still early morning when Alexei steers the SUV through the entrance to the cemetery, and everything’s quiet. We stop as close as possible to the gravesite, and then Alexei says, “Let’s do this.”
I climb out of the SUV and scan the area as I pull my gun from behind my back. My finger rests on the trigger, ready at the first sign of danger.
Alexei places his hand on Ariana’s lower back and leads her to her father’s grave.
My breathing slows as I look for anything that seems out of place. My senses sharpen until I feel the cold morning air prickle over my body. I know exactly where Alexei and Ariana are standing without having to look and move toward them while my eyes comb over the gravestones and trees.
Something glints in the sharp sunlight, and I shout, “Down!” My right arm shoots up, and I pull the trigger. A second later, a bullet flies past my shoulder in the direction where Alexei and Ariana were standing. I hear it slam into a gravestone, and then I wait, my eyes locked on the spot where the shot came from.
“More will come,” Alexei mutters.
“Stay down,” I order. Just then, there’s movement, and I get ready. It only takes a split-second, but the moment the guy peeks from behind his hiding place, I fire off three shots. One hits his left eye and the other two an inch higher. I hold my left fist up for Alexei to see, checking the area before I open my hand.
“Run, Ariana!” Alexei snaps, and then I hear them move.
Walking backward, I keep an eye out in case the scout wasn’t alone, and only when I’m close to the SUV do I turn around and hurry to the passenger side. I climb inside, then bark, “Quickly.”
“Yeah-yeah,” Alexei taunts me. “I know the drill.”
As Alexei makes a U-turn, I glance over my shoulder at Ariana. “You okay, Malyshka?”
Her face is pale, but she nods quickly.
I turn my attention back to the narrow road, and as we approach the exit, I say, “Lean forward.” Alexei does as I ask, and I pull his gun from behind his back. He settles against the seat again and doesn’t slow the SUV down as he takes the turn onto the road running parallel to the cemetery.
We’re met with bullets spraying the right side of the SUV, and then Alexei floors the gas.
Resting the one gun on my lap, I take out my phone and dial Damien’s number.
When he answers, I say, “We’re going to come in hot. Get ready. Twenty minutes out.”
