Her green eyes are fixed on the man standing over her, burning with a hatred so intense it radiates.
I shift my focus to him.
Yuri.
One of my father’s long standing associates.
I move without thinking and position myself in front of her, blocking his view, shielding her from him.
The bastard attempts to step between us.
Ido smashes him across the back of the head with the butt of his gun. The crack echoes through the room, and the mancrumples on the floor. I drive my foot into him hard, sending his body skidding across the floor.
Soon, you worthless piece of filth. I will end you. But first, your master.
My eyes scan the space, but Viktor is nowhere to be seen.
Every weapon in the room comes up, trained on me and Ido, but not a single barrel turns toward Isaak.
There is something deeply satisfying in seeing him overpower my father in his own home.
But he is the Pakhan’s son, their future boss. Even if they serve my father now, their loyalty ultimately lies higher. And none of them are foolish to forget that.
“Get out. Now,” Isaak says.
They don’t argue.
I turn away and drop to my knees in front of Octavia as I hear their retreating footsteps.
I touch her face as gently as I can, terrified of hurting her, my fingers careful as they brush blood clotted strands of hair back and tuck them behind her ear.
Her eyes finally meet mine.
Those beautiful green eyes.
Fuck.
The feel of her skin beneath my hand as I caress her cheek nearly destroys me.
I can’t believe this is real.
I am still in denial.
“Baby,” I murmur, the word scraping out of me.
A tear slips down her cheek.
“You came.” She smiles, leaning into my touch. “I knew you would.”
She lifts her hand, her fingers trembling, and when they touch my skin, something inside me shatters.
I feel a tear fall, and I don’t even try to stop it.
“Are you real?” I whisper.
She offers me a tired, almost sorrowful smile.
“Can you kiss me?” she asks.
