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“Ten,” Alexei mutters. “I’ll make it in ten.”
“You heard that?” I ask Damien.
“Got it. We’ll be ready.”
Chapter 24
ARIANA
It’s one thing knowing Yuri wants me dead, but it’s a whole different ball game actually being shot at.
My heart hasn’t stopped thundering in my chest since Demitri fired the first shot. A bullet hit my dad’s gravestone right where I was standing.
So close.
There’s a metallic taste on my tongue, my skin tingling like I just touched a live wire.
Another wave of bullets spray the SUV, and I slap my hand over my mouth to keep from letting out a shriek.
Don’t make a noise. Don’t distract Demitri.
My eyes are glued to him as he looks over his shoulder at whoever’s shooting at us. Then his eyes flick to me, and he says, “We have to stop and take care of the problem. Stay in the car until one of us comes to get you.”
I lower my hand to my racing heart. “Okay.”
“You’re doing good, Malyshka.”
I can only nod, and then I glance out the back window at the sedan and something that looks like a smaller version of a truck that’s behind us.
“Ready, brother?” Alexei asks as we turn up the road that leads to the compound.
Demitri lets out a chuckle. “Always.”
Damien and Carson have parked the other two SUVs on either side of the road, leaving enough space for Alexei to speed through.
Alexei turns the steering wheel sharp while yanking up the handbrake, and it makes the SUV spin.
God. Hello, motion sickness.
The tires screech and Demitri throws open his door, stepping out of the vehicle before we’ve even stopped.
I swear my ovaries combust from how hot and badass it looks, and then we come to a jarring halt.
Winter runs toward us, and when Alexei climbs out, she tosses him a machine gun, and then they open fire on the two approaching vehicles.
This time the blasts are loud, and I cover my ears as I watch bullets fly.
Holy. Shit.
I manage to blink and breathe, but that’s all.
A voice in the back of my mind tells me I should be horrified, but all I feel is worry for Demitri and my new friends. I don’t want any of them getting hurt.
While the war begins, one realization sinks deep.
There’s some of my father in me, after all.
Up until now, I was worried about not getting to return to my old life. But now that I’m finally in Russia and people are shooting at me, people are dying right before my eyes, I’m calm.
I feel a rush of anger, and it feeds my will to live.
I’m going to fight for the legacy my father left behind. I’m going to fight Yuri.
My eyes lock on Demitri, and seeing the power rolling off him in waves, makes me lift my chin and lower my hands from my ears.
Maybe this is my destiny.
Maybe these people fighting to protect me were meant to become my new family. Because, God, no one has ever fought so hard for me.
I’m overcome with affection for each of them as they put their own lives on the line for me.
When the final shot is fired, the other two vehicles are shot up, and blood and bodies litter the ground.
Demitri comes to open the back door, and I hurry to get out. Throwing my arms around his neck, my breaths race over my lips.
I hear Alexei make a call as Demitri’s one arm wraps like a steel band around my lower back. “You okay?” he asks, his tone calm.
I nod, and pulling back, I press a kiss to his jaw and then his mouth. Not caring who sees, I kiss Demitri with every pounding heartbeat. He breaks the kiss, and lifting his head, his eyes search over my face before locking with mine.
Whatever he sees in my gaze makes the corner of his mouth lift in a sexy smirk.
“Clean-up crew will be here soon,” Alexei says, and it makes me take a step back from Demitri. Alexei might still scare me, but I walk to him and give him a hug.
He lets out a chuckle, and when I let go of him, he asks, “What’s that for?”
Glancing up, I give him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
Lifting his hand to the side of my head, he brushes his palm over my hair. “You’re welcome, little one.”
“Are we staying or going?” Damien asks.
When I turn toward Damien and Carson, Demitri mutters, “You better not think of hugging them.”
Everyone chuckles at Demitri’s possessive tone.
“We’re going,” he mutters, and taking hold of my hand, he pulls me back to the SUV.
When we get back to the compound, Demitri waits for the others to get out of the vehicles, then he says, “They probably know where we are. We’ll have to keep watch. Who’s taking the first shift?”
“I will,” Carson says. I watch as he pulls a rifle from his SUV, and then he walks toward the house and climbs up the side to the roof without much effort.
