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I’d critique my reaction later, but I lunged toward the man, the surprise of my reaction able to knock him to the floor, Alexandra pitched to the side. We rolled twice, fighting to keep our respective weapons from being able to get off a killing shot.
After cracking my weapon against the side of his head, I managed to scramble away, pushing Alexandra behind me, my gun still pointed at his head.
He roared as he jumped to his feet and it was obvious he was prepared to take a shot.
Pop!
The sound reverberated in the small space, both women screaming. As the soldier dropped to his knees, the single gunshot catching him between the eyes, I turned my head toward Grigori, who’d fired the killing shot.
Our eyes connected and he gave me another nod of respect. “No man inside my organization ignores my rules and lives. Take the women. The deal is made. I will trust you are an honorable man, Mr. Stark.”
I grabbed Alexandra, pressing her head against my chest. “I assure you I will honor the deal made.” I glanced at Jagger, who stared at me in amazement, my eyes directing him to lower his weapon.
“Charlotte is coming with us,” Alexandra said defiantly.
I shifted my gaze toward Santiago, who was cradling Charlotte in his arms.
“Go, Char. I’ll come for you later,” Santiago told her, lifting her chin with a single finger. The two of them were obviously close and there was no mistaking the love in Santiago’s eyes.
As I led Alexandra out of the office and the building, I realized how close I was to losing her. The thought left me angry and bitter inside. I’d lost sight of what was important to me.
That would never happen again.
Once outside and close to our vehicles, I cupped both sides of her face. “I almost lost you.”
“I knew you’d come for me,” she whispered, rising onto her tiptoes and pressing her lips against mine.
When I wrapped my arms around her, Jagger muttered under his breath.
“Get a room.”
The kiss was tender, my tongue sweeping her mouth and my pulse racing. She was the most important thing in my life.
No one would be allowed to fuck with us again.
* * *
Alexandra
“You love him, don’t you?” Charlotte asked as she moved beside me on the deck.
“Yes.” We’d been home for over twelve hours, yet it felt like just minutes before I’d been held captive.
“He’s good to you.”
Exhaling, I studied the way the ocean water lapped against the shore, the anguish of being captured slowly fading. “He’s amazing, so protective.”
“That’s what I have with Diego.”
Her voice was hushed but there was such certainty in her words, full of emotion.
“I want you happy, Charlotte, but I can’t say I approve of your choices.”
“I know,” she half whispered. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with him.”
“Were you running drugs?”
Her hesitation was an answer and one I hated. “For two months. Then he asked me to work his casinos. No, I didn’t have to fuck anyone. I was just there, making certain there were no cheaters. I really was treated well and the money was fantastic. Then things got a little rough and Diego didn’t like it. We started talking and one thing led to another and I was in his bed. He hadn’t touched me until then even though I’d lived in his house after he’d saved me from the streets. I understand that he’s a bad man, but he’s good to me. That’s all that matters.”
