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She tugs me down, and when my ass hits the floor, I bring my knees up and rest my forearms on them. My head lowers.
Minutes…hours…days…weeks…months…
A year could pass, and I wouldn’t know.
Frozen in shock and agony, my mind drifts off into a place where there’s only the silence that comes with death.
My return to consciousness is sudden and excruciating.
I’ve been through a lot, and I’ve seen shit in my life, but not once did I cry.
Not until today.
Hot tears spill from my eyes, dripping on the floor.
I grip fistfuls of my hair, and unable to bear the loss of my brother, a hoarse shout tears from my chest.
“Alek,” Everleigh cries. She wraps her arms around my head and holds me to her chest. “I’m sorry. God. I’m so sorry.”
I had my own flesh and blood killed.
With no other words to be said between us, Everleigh just holds me as the loss of Vincent destroys me.
Growing up in the bratva world, you’re prepared for a bloody death at a young age. You know you’ll lose family and friends along the way.
But still, none of the training I’ve had could’ve prepared me for the past months and Vincent’s death.
I’ll never see him again.
He was only twenty-three.
How will I tell Mama?
“Alek?” Everleigh whispers.
I can’t move or talk. Captured in perpetual grief and guilt, I can only face what I’ve done.
I had my brother executed.
I just couldn’t let Prodi kill Everleigh. Not her. Not ever.
Suddenly the sound of gunfire erupts, erratic pops echoing through the building.
“Oh, God.” Everleigh climbs to her feet, and once I’m standing, she moves in front of me for the first time. “Go to the corner. I’ll cover you with my body.”
When I don’t do as she says, she hisses, “Dammit, Alek. Move!”
Just as she presses her hands against my chest to push me backward, the door shudders open. She spins around and presses her back to my front, her arms wide.
She’s willing to take a bullet for me.
Instinctively, I shove her out of the way, and as she falls to the floor, Dario opens fire on us.
I feel a bullet penetrate my thigh, and another hits my abdomen. My body’s forced backward, and I slam into the wall. My back goes up in flames, and sinking to the ground with my legs sprawled wide in front of me, an insane chuckle escapes me.
I’m coming, Vincent.
“Noooo!” Everleigh screams, the sound filled with agony and desperation.
