Page 34 of King of Shadows

“Take another step,” he says, “and I put a bullet in your wife’s head.”

“Easy,” I say, keeping my gun trained on him. “Calm down.”

Vadim laughs. “I’m fucking calm. Now tell your men to step back, or your wife dies.”

My eyes stay locked on Chloe. Her hands tremble, but she keeps them at her sides, forcing herself to stay still. “Lower your weapons,” I order.

“Boss—”

“Now!”

One by one, my men lower their guns and take a step back. Vadim’s smile widens. “You really think you’re untouchable, don’t you?”

“We don’t have to do this, Vadim.”

“Oh, but we do.” His voice is filled with bitterness. “You think you’re so fucking perfect because you’re the Pakhan now.”

“Vadim—“

“You took something that belonged to me,” he says. “So now I’m going to take something that belongs to you.”

His son keeps Chloe trapped against him, the gun pressed dangerously close to her neck as they begin moving backward toward another vehicle. I know what happens if they get her into another vehicle. I can’t let them take her, I have seconds to make a decision.

It’s risky because one wrong move could leave Chloe caught in the crossfire, but doing nothing means watching them take my wife. My hand drops toward the second gun tucked into my waistband, and I move fast, pulling it free. A shot cracks through the air, and at the exact same moment, another gunshot rings out from somewhere to my left. Lev.

Vadim jerks violently as my bullet catches him in the head. He drops instantly. His son recoils in shock as Lev’s bullet tears through his shoulder. His grip on Chloe loosens, and she drops to the ground. I run to her.

“Chloe!”

More shots ring out as my men take down Vadim’s men. Vadim’s son takes off running. My men immediately chase after him, but I don’t even look in their direction. I’m already on my knees beside my wife.

“Baby.”

I pull her into my arms. “Are you okay? Hey. Look at me. Are you all right?”

“Yes.” Her voice trembles. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“Are you hurt?”

She shakes her head. “No. No, I’m not hurt.”

I pull her tighter against me, burying my face in her hair and breathing her in. She’s alive. “Fuck,” I whisper. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

I press a kiss against her forehead. “I’m so sorry.”

She looks up at me. “You came for me.”

“Of course I came for you.”

I cup her face. “I will always come for you.”

I lift her into my arms, and carry her toward the car. A few minutes later, Lev returns with the men. “Where is he?”

“He got away,” he says, his voice filled with regret.

My jaw clenches. “He won’t stay missing.”

I look down at Chloe. “We’ll find him.”