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Taking a deep breath, I force myself to appear calm and composed, even though my nerves are stretched tight like piano wires. Walking across the expanse of the room, I keep my gaze fixed straight ahead, silently praying I don't encounter Maxim on my way out.
My shoulders drop an inch as I reach the basement and Daniil and Yulian step out of the shadows. The sight of them floods me with relief. Daniil's eyes light up, and without a word, he strides forward, lifting me off the ground in a quick, tight hug.
“I can’t believe you guys pulled this off,” I marvel. “You’re all crazy, you know that?”
My brother gives me one of his signature roguish grins. “Like we were going to leave you here in Belov’s evil clutches.”
Evil is exactly right. But there’s no time to focus on tonight’s revelations. That’s for later.
Yulian steps forward, his hand clapping onto my shoulder in a reassuring gesture. I give him a small nod and smile as Andrei appears beside me.
His first line of business is to rip off his fake mustache with a wince. "How did I get stuck with the shitty fake mustache? This is humiliating," he grumbles. Daniil opens his mouth, but Andrei cuts him off with a sharp look. "You are to never mention this. Ever.”
Daniil shrugs. “I make no guarantees.”
“Save the bickering until we’re out of here,” Yulian grumbles, expression tense. “Follow me.” He leads the way towards what I assume is the wine cellar. Swinging open the door, he’s the first one in the cellar-like room, sweeping Aly up in his arms. “Thank fuck you’re okay.”
“I am,” she reassures him.
“We need to get moving.” Yulian points towards the exit. “Van’s out back.”
Aly's expression drops, hands clasped together. “I can’t,” she says. “You go. I need to stay for now. It won’t be forever, but?—”
Yulian's head snaps back. “What are you talking about?”
“If you stay, I’m staying. I’m not leaving here without you,” Leo declares, his eyes locked on Aly—the love of his life he's only just gotten back.
Before the argument can continue, the lights stutter, blanketing the wine cellar in sudden darkness.
This isn’t good.
Dread pools in my stomach, and all I can do is brace myself for whatever nightmare is about to unfold.
CHAPTER TWO
KIRA
The creakof the door breaks the silence, followed by the heavy tread of boots. My heart pounds like a drum as the lights flicker on, bringing Maxim and his cold fury into sharp focus.
His guards stand behind him, weapons drawn, and his own gun is aimed directly at Leo. “A family reunion. And I wasn’t invited?”
Leo glares back at him with hate. “You’re not her family, even if you do share blood with her.”
My muscles tense, fear pooling low in my belly. We’re cornered, outnumbered, and facing the wrath of a man who knows no bounds.
“Let them go,” Aly pleads with her father. “We had a deal. I’ll stay, but you have to let them all go.”
The words are barely out of her mouth before Leo steps in front of her. His eyes are fierce with challenge as he raises his arm, a pistol pointed at his opponent’s chest. It’s a useless standoff, each man with a gun drawn at the other. The only difference is that Maxim has an army to back him up.
Maxim chuckles and casually lowers his weapon, a demonstration that he has all the power. “What’s your endgame here, Kozlov?” he asks Leo, reclining against a wine cask. “Do you think you can rescue Alyona and gallop off into the sunset as a happy couple? You—the man who abandoned her for the brotherhood—are suddenly the knight in shining armor?”
A tingle of unease prickles my neck. How Maxim knows about Aly and Leo’s past is beyond me, but one thing is certain: he’s a man accustomed to getting his way. What he wants is a partner to rule alongside him. Whether it's Aly or another, bound by blood or oath, does it really matter to him?
While Maxim and Leo continue to face off, an idea begins to take shape in my mind, one that could alter everyone's lives here.
“This doesn’t change anything,” Maxim snarls, snapping my attention back to the present. “Alyona is still needed by my side.”
“It is a choice. Her choice,” Leo roars. "I'll do whatever it takes to secure Aly's freedom. Kill me if you must to make your point, but it will only drive your daughter away and deepen her hatred for you."
