I stalked toward him. “Yes, it is.”
Nikolai was the first to move, lunging toward me with a fierce growl. I dodged his attack and landed a solid punch to his stomach, causing him to stumble back a few steps. He recovered quickly, coming at me again with a series of quick jabs.
I blocked each one with ease, my body moving fluidly and effortlessly. We circled each other, our eyes locked in a deadly stare. I could see the hatred burning in Nikolai’s eyes, and I knew that this fight was not just about settling a sibling rivalry. It was about power, control, and dominance. All of it fueled the fire within me. Years of pent-up frustration and anger had led us to this moment, and I wasn’t going to hold back.
Our fists collided with brutal force, the sound echoing throughout the room. The men around us cheered, urging us to continue the fight. I had yet to look at our father, and I wondered if he was really ready for me to end things. Unfortunately, it was too late. The deal had been struck and I had to finish what I started. I had to finish it for Wren, Parker, Ripp, and everyone else Nikolai had hurt. He wasn’t going to get away with anything anymore.
Nikolai and I were evenly matched, neither of us giving an inch. Blood dripped from a cut on my forehead, but I ignored the pain. Suddenly, Nikolai stumbled, giving me the perfect opportunity. I seized it, landing a devastating blow to his jaw. He fell to the ground with a thud, blood pouring from his mouth.
I thought he was done for a moment, but then he sprang back up, anger and determination etched on his face. I charged at him again, my fists flying. Our movements became more frenzied, more animalistic. We were like two beasts in a battle for dominance, neither willing to back down. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Nikolai stumbled backward, his eyes widening in shock as I got the upper hand. I took advantage of his momentary weakness and lunged forward, pinning him to the ground. Our faces were inches apart, our breaths hot and ragged. I thought I saw fear in his eyes for a moment, but then it was gone, replaced by a cold determination. I knew then that I had to end it quickly. I raised my fist, ready to deliver the final blow, but then a malicious smile spread across his face.
“I’ve already won, brother.”
He looked at one of his guys and laughed, the sound echoing through the warehouse. The whole room fell silent, and I managed to glance at our father. He was just as confused as I was.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I snarled at Nikolai.
Nikolai grinned, his lip splitting open even more. “Wren’s about to die. How does it feel to know you can’t save her?”
The blood ran cold in my veins, especially when I looked into my brother’s eyes. Nikolai was many things, but I could always tell when he spoke the truth.
Grabbing his neck, I jerked him up and squeezed until his face turned red. “What the fuck did you do?”
His attention turned to the right, and I saw one of his guys smirk and nod at him. All it took was that split second for me to lose focus.
Nikolai headbutted me and I stumbled back. He chuckled as he watched me try to regain my footing. I could feel the blood streaming down my face, but I refused to wipe it away. I needed to keep my eyes on him.
Nikolai smiled, held out his arms as if he’d won, and said, “It’s already been done.”
CHAPTER31
WREN
“Do you want to watch a movie?” Genevieve asked.
She nodded toward the hallway that led to the theater room. When I gave her a tour of Seth’s home, her eyes lit up the second we walked into the theater. I had a feeling she would want to watch a movie.
“He does,” I agreed, plastering on a smile. I checked my phone, but there was nothing other than a couple of texts from Ripp and Peyton asking how I was doing. “I tell you what,” I said, getting up from the kitchen table. “Why don’t you get settled in the theater, and I’ll grab us some water bottles?”
Genevieve grinned and stood. “I can do that.” She walked to the living room and looked around. “Well, I thought Diego was in here.” Then she turned back to me. “Do you mind finding him and telling him where we’ll be?”
“Sure,” I said, peering out of the windows toward the pool to see if he was out there. It was dark, so I couldn’t see much of anything.
Genevieve disappeared down the hall, and I walked out the back door. I looked around and waited for Diego or Drake to walk around the corner, but neither one did. I walked around the pool’s perimeter, calling out for both of them, but there was no response. The only sound was the gentle lapping of the water against the sides of the pool.
I felt a sudden chill run down my spine as I approached the pool house. It was as if someone was watching me, observing my every move. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should go inside and make sure Genevieve was okay. But then, my curiosity got the better of me and I continued forward. The door to the pool house was slightly ajar, and I could see a faint light emanating from inside. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
As my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I could see Diego sitting on the couch, but his body was slumped at an odd angle. I took a few steps forward, my heart beating faster and faster with every step. As I got closer, I saw blood coating the entire front of his body. He’d been shot multiple times in the chest. But that wasn’t all.
A trail of crimson was smeared across the floor, and I followed it to Drake’s body, hidden behind the bar. He’d been shot in the head. Fear gripped me, but I wasn’t afraid for myself; I was worried for Genevieve. Pulse quickening, I felt my adrenaline spike as I raced out of the pool house, only a figure in black was waiting for me. He charged toward me, but I was prepared. I’d been fighting off sick, sadistic men my entire life. I sidestepped his first punch, grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm behind his back until I heard a sickening crack.
“Let me guess,” I snarled, “your cunt of a boss sent you here?”
The amount of anger surging through me felt like it was about to explode from my body. He’d killed Diego and Drake. There could be more of Nikolai’s men around.
When the man said nothing, I jerked his arm again until there was another crack. The man screamed in pain and fell to the ground, but he quickly bolted back up to his feet and took off toward the front gate. I raced after him, knowing what I needed to do. There was no way in hell I was going to let him get away. Consequences be damned.
My muscles burned as my feet pounded on the ground. I was so close to tackling him to the ground, but then everything happened in slow motion. The sound was deafening and a heat so intense blasted across my back and sent me flying in the air.
