The bullet hits a woman, and chaos erupts around us.
In the stampede, another movement catches my eye. I shoot just in time as he raises his gun.
My men surround us. I release her waist and hold her hand. We sprint toward the emergency exit prepared for us.
I turn to look at Luka. “He is not dead. I need him alive.”
He nods. I shoot the second man below his ribs. It will do enough damage to stop him without killing him.
The door locks behind us. Leo is standing there. He scans me and Avira, then we descend the stairs.
The emergency exit opens directly outside the penthouse door. Leo opens it, and we step out.
Avira hugs me tightly the moment the door closes. I rub her back.
“Who was it?” Leo asks, walking toward the kitchen.
“We will know.”
He brings two bottles of water, giving one to me while drinking from the other.
Avira steps back, still shaking. I take her to the couch and settle her in my lap, then open the bottle and hand it to her. She takes a few gulps. I put the bottle on the table and hug her tightly.
“Who was the target?” Leo asks, sitting down in front of me.
“Me.”
He frowns.
Avira jerks up and stares at me with wide eyes.
I cup her face. “It was not that serious.”
“You could have died,” she whispers, her eyes turning red.
“It’s not easy to kill me, Dove. Don’t think about it.” I press her head on my shoulder again.
“It’s not that kidnapper,” Leo speaks, his frown deepening. He has thought it through to come to this conclusion. “My first doubt was him, but it’s not him.”
I nod. “He’s a smart man. If he wanted me dead, he could have used many opportunities. This was someone who doesn’t know how to play hidden and can’t reach me easily.”
“Some idiot,” Leo concludes, getting up. “Then I guess the threat isn’t that big for now. You take care of her, we’ll discuss this matter tomorrow.”
He walks upstairs to his room. I pick Avira up and follow him. She’s still in shock.
I put her on the bed, she watches me with a blank expression. I remove her heels, then her accessories, and unzip her dress. She lets me take it off, then lies down and covers herself with the quilt. I remove my shoes, jacket, gun holster and belt, then my pants and shirt. I climb into bed beside her and pull her into my arms, bringing her face close to mine.
I caress her cheek. “What are you thinking?”
“Your life is in danger.”
I nod. “I don’t want to sugarcoat it for you, Dove. My life is in danger, but I can’t remember a single time whenit wasn’t. I have enemies, like every other man in this family, but know this, I’m well protected, and I’m capable of saving myself in most dangerous situations.”
I kiss her forehead. “I’m not going to die anytime soon.”
She buries her face in my chest. Irub her back.
chapter 42
