Veles cocks the gun, finger tightening on the trigger.
And I move.
Adrenaline surges, drowning out fear. I rise from behind the counter, gun trembling in my hand, my legs barely holding meupright. I step behind Veles, slow and silent. My hands are slick with sweat, my heartbeat a scream in my ears. Beast’s eyes meet mine, wide, pleading like he wants me to let him take whatever comes.
Fuck that.
Veles senses me a second too late. He turns, but I’m already there, raising the gun, sights lining up with his heart. I remember what Razor taught me and put my finger on the trigger because I have every intention of squeezing.
The shot echoes like the end of the world. Veles stumbles, mouth open in surprise, blood blooming on his shirt. His gun falls and clatters to the floor. He drops to his knees, and then to the ground, staring up at me with disbelief.
In a world filled with so many enemies, I bet he never thought it would be a little bookworm like me who would end him.
The remaining Russians scatter, panicked, leaving the dead and dying behind as they flee into the rain-soaked alley.
And then there’s only silence.
I freeze. The gun slips from my fingers. My body is shaking so hard I can barely stay upright and I can’t seem to catch my breath. Beast is at my side in two strides, arms coming around me, crushing me to his chest. I sob into his skin, breathing the wild, calming scent of him, the taste of tears and sweat on my lips.
He presses his forehead to mine, voice thick and rough. “My God, woman, you are fierce. You did good, baby. You did good. Don’t look at him. Keep your eyes on me. That’s it. Keep themright here.” His hands take my face and he softly holds me to him. “You saved us both.”
“It was you or him,” I whisper, voice wrecked. “I couldn’t let anything happen to you. I just found you.”
He wipes blood and tears from my face, eyes shining with something fierce and infinite. “And I just found you. I didn’t know I needed someone like you in my life. Now I don’t want to know another day without you. If that’s something you want.”
I give a watery laugh, my lips trembling. “Do you believe in love at first sight? Because I think I do.”
He smiles, bruised and beautiful. “I didn’t before you.”
He lifts me, carrying me through the destruction left behind by men who knew nothing but greed and death. They died in the same form that they lived.
“Wait! Take me back to the living room.” He walks us over and I grab the stack of papers, tucking them close to my chest. I nearly died multiple times for this information. I’m not going to lose it now.
I cling to Beast and keep my face buried in his neck as the world outside washes away the blood and horror.
“Look at me, baby,” he murmurs, voice rough with tenderness.
I raise my gaze to his.
“Don’t worry about them. They got what they had coming.”
“I know, but still.” Having to hurt people when all I wanted in life was to heal and help others tears at my soul.
“I know, baby. We’ll get through this together.”
I feel hope settle deep inside me like a solid, unbreakable shield. For the first time, I know what it is to truly belong and to fight for love.
11
LAYLA
Two hours later, Beast helps me off his bike as we follow the rest of the Savage crew inside the large compound.
The door opens and we all go inside. I’m instantly hit with the smell of fresh coffee, pie, old books, and pine. The air crackles with life, voices, and the heavy relief of being safe.
There are cheers and whistles that ring out.
“Come on, baby.” Beast ushers me deeper into the living room and there are so many new faces.
