AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It wouldn’t make a difference.”
“You just said it would.”
“Only if your life is threatened, Duchess.”
“He will erase your family from the face of the earth if you hurt me.”
“If this plan doesn’t succeed, he might as well do it, anyway. I’m at a point where I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
“But—” My protest is interrupted when a sound comes from outside.
Luca leaps up from his position on the couch and yanks me in front of him, using me as a shield while he jams the gun into my temple. The door barges open and my breath catches when I make eye contact with Adrian’s intense gray ones.
Kolya, Yan, Boris, and a few of his other guards are with him. All of them have their guns out.
My heart beats fast as Adrian’s entire demeanor sharpens and his body turns in my direction.
“You’re not supposed to be here.” Luca’s tone is light, but I can feel his body tightening behind me. “Now drop your weapons before I kill her.”
“You need me, Luca,” I say in a low voice.
“Not if my life depends on it, Duchess,” he tells me, then addresses Adrian. “Your weapons, Volkov.”
My husband’s gaze meets mine again for a brief second before he motions at his guards to drop their guns. As they do, Luca drags me to a back door while still using me as a human shield.
I stumble a few times, but Luca’s firm hold on me keeps me upright while we cross the distance.
It’s so dark outside that I can barely see my hands, but I keep staring at the door until I can make out the shadow of Adrian and the others.
It’d be a lie to say I’m not scared, especially knowing Luca’s impulsiveness, but the fact that Adrian is here gives me a small relief.
Pebbles crunch beneath my feet and when the sound of waves hits my ears, I notice that Luca has taken us to the edge of a cliff.
I suck in a deep breath as I stare at the water below violently hitting the rocks.
Just like that night.
My body trembles and tears spring to my eyes. The thought of repeating that experience paralyzes me, causing the world to close in on me until all I can hear is the pounding pulse in my ears.
“Lia.”
My head snaps up to find Adrian a small distance away from me and some of my fear lessens.
“Breathe, Lenochka. I’m here.”
“Adrian…” I shake my head. “I didn’t mean to that time… I don’t want to now…”
“Nothing will happen to you.”
“Yes, it will if you don’t stay away.” Luca presses the weapon harder against my temple.
Something glints in the darkness in Adrian’s hand and my eyes widen as I recognize the gun.
Luca seems to have noticed it, too, because he pulls me back in one swift movement.
I shriek as a bullet is fired.
Bang!
