“What the hell was that?” she asks with wide eyes.
I feel my jaw tighten. “Most likely the Sokolovs coming after me.”
She shakes her head in incomprehension. “Why?”
“Because they want my territory.”
She’s quiet for a moment, then asks softly, “Are you okay?”
I shake myself. She’s asking ifI’mokay. Not worried about herself. But for me.
Fuck, I love her.
“I’m fine, baby. But we’re going home. Now.”
When we pull up to the mansion, there are already guards everywhere. The extra security I asked for when I texted Alexei from the road.
I help Nadia out. She’s still shaking. Fuck!
“Go inside, sweetheart,” I tell her softly. “Maria will take care of you.”
“Where are you going?”
“Need to handle this shit.”
“Zak…”
I press my lips to hers. “Inside, wife. Now.”
She stares at me for a beat, then nods and step back, whispering, “Okay.”
And I fucking hate how small her voice is, the dimmed light in her eyes.
“You stay here. You do not leave this house.” Another tired nod. I kiss her again. “I’ll be back.”
Then I take off. Alone.
Rage keeps building inside me with every mile, every street I pass as I fly through town.
They came after me when I had Nadia in the car. My fucking wife. They fucking put her in danger. Scared her.
They’re fucking dead.
All of them.
I pull up to the Sokolov compound. It’s a warehouse on the edge of town, with guards at the gate.
I don’t slow down.
The first guard steps forward. Hand on his weapon.
I shoot him through the windshield.
Headshot. He drops.
The second guard reaches for his gun.
Too slow.
