AllFreeNovel
Share Us
What in the hell was the vendetta about?
As soon as the garage door closed and I’d cut the engine, the quiet was almost deafening. “We’re going inside, Stephanie. You are to stay right by my side. I have men surrounding the house, but I’m not taking any chances. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,sir.”
She remained silent as I led her out of the garage, my weapon in both hands, remaining against the exterior wall as I headed toward the back door. The house had already been swept by my men, ensuring we were alone. Once inside, I pulled the blinds in the kitchen before turning on the light. The sight of dried blood covering a portion of one of the walls only ignited the simmering fury.
“What is this place? A torture chamber?” she asked weakly.
“It’s safe, Stephanie. That’s all that matters.” She kept her gaze locked on the wall, the ugliness of my world all she could think about. As my phone rang, I curled my upper lip. It was another one of my soldiers, likely checking in from their detail surrounding the house.
“Luis,” I said, unable to take my eyes off her.
“We’re secure, sir. There’s no movement.”
“If there’s a single sign of anything, call me.”
“Will do,” Luis said.
I ended the call, tossing the phone on the table.
“How many men do you have working for you?” she asked far too casually.
“Enough.”
“You mean you employ an army.”
I chuckled from hearing the disdain in her voice. “Yes, Stephanie. If you feel the need to call the soldiers who’ve been well trained an army, then you may do so.”
“You really believe they will protect you and your family?”
“They have for years. That’s their job.”
“This is about your family’s past,” she repeated.
“From what I can tell.”
“They want to finish what they started with your father all those years ago.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, Alexei. I’m just so sorry.”
Goddamn it, I wanted to hold her, comfort her. Sadly, we were at a solid impasse, the divide between us widening. She was on the side of just and noble, something I’d never been.
“Are you injured?” I gazed down the length of her, amazed to see she only had a few scrapes, although deep bruises would likely occur later.
“No. There’s no need to worry about me.” Goddamn if her answer wasn’t conceited. Did she not get that even though I was enraged, I’d have walked through the very fires of hell to make certain she’d survived?
Hissing, I rubbed my forehead with my arm before easing my Ruger onto the kitchen table, fighting to remove my coat. I couldn’t seem to get her out of my system.
“Stop. Let me take it off,” she instructed, her commanding tone forcing me to grin. She was very careful in rolling the material over my shoulders, her exhale exaggerated. “That’s a lot of blood.”
“Trust me. I’ve been through worse.” A wave of pain slammed into my system forcing me to grip the edge of the counter, taking gasping breaths. As I started to unbutton my shirt, she moved in front of me, placing her hands on mine.
“Please, just stop. Let me see what we’re dealing with.” There was such sheer determination in her eyes, yet her face was pale, her lips pursed. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she gingerly unbuttoned my shirt. Her face remained pinched, doing her best not to cause me any additional pain as she pulled the blood-soaked material away from my chest. “This isn’t good.” After tossing the material into the sink, she held her arms.
“As I said, I’ve handled worse, Stephanie.”
