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“We’re fucking fucked,” Alek says again, but this time worry laces his words.
“Let me talk to Viktor. I’ll take the fall,” I say, wanting to keep my friends out of this. Not able to hide in my suite, I mutter, “Let’s get this over with.”
Leaving the room, I feel like a man on death row.
This is it.
This is how it feels to have minutes left.
The color drains out of the world, and the light fades as shadows creep in – as if death is already reaching for me.
When we turn up the hallway where Director Koslov’s office is, I stop and glance at Armani and Alek.
“Thank you.”
Alek shakes his head while Armani keeps his eyes on me.
“Thank you for being the best fucking brothers a man can ask for.”
“Shut up,” Alek hisses through clenched teeth, sorrow tightening his features. “You’re not dying today.”
“Armani, drag him out of the office if you have to,” I mutter, then I walk toward my chamber of death.
When I step inside the room, I hear Armani and Alek right behind me. My eyes lock on Viktor, who’s standing by Director Koslov’s desk with his back toward us.
He takes a deep breath, and letting out a sigh, he turns to face us. For a long while, he just stares, then he shakes his head.
“I had to leave my pregnant wife because you decided to disobey a direct order from me.”
I don’t move. I don’t nod, and I certainly don’t dare say anything.
Viktor pulls his weapon out from where it’s tucked into the back of his suit pants. “Christ, I had high hopes for the three of you.”
I love you, Aurora.
Viktor looks down at the floor, and I watch as he thinks, then he says, “Who’s going to take the bullet meant for Abigail Sartori?”
Before I can react, Alek steps forward. “I will.”
I grab Alek’s arm and yank him back. “No! I will.”
As Alek’s lips part, Armani grabs him in a tight hold and starts to wrestle him toward the door.
I keep my eyes on Viktor as I bite the words out. “I will take the bullet.”
“The fuck you will!” Alek shouts as he fights against Armani.
Viktor’s expression darkens as he snaps, “Enough! All three of you, on your knees.”
Reluctantly Armani obeys, and when my brothers kneel beside me, my mind reels, unable to come up with a way to save them.
Viktor gives Alek a look of warning. “Quiet.” He takes a moment to look at each of us, then his eyes stop on me. “I gave you my blessing, and this is how you repay me?”
When he remains quiet, I figure it’s now or never. “I take full responsibility, Mr. Vetrov. It wasn’t my intention to disobey your orders. They were shooting at all of us, and we retaliated. But the blame falls on me. I’ll take the punishment.”
He lets out a heavy breath, and raising his arm, he trains the barrel of his gun on Alek.
Waves of shock ripple over me. “Please,” I beg. “It was me. Punish me.”
