Alexei can’t hurt me if I’m not afraid and I’m tired of being afraid.
While Alexei has his eyes on Nik, I run right at Alexei. He tries to act but I’m upon him. I rake my fingers down his cheek, coming away with blood. Alexei shouts, startled and backs away.
That gives Nik the chance to move. He rushes towards Alexei and grabs Alexei’s hands before he can get shot. Alexei’s gun goes high as he fires. The bullet lands in the ceiling.
Nik is stronger than Alexei is and punches him hard in the face, sending Alexei to the ground. Nik takes Alexei’s gun and points it at him.
“You fucking idiot,” Nik says. “You should have just stopped when you had the chance.”
“If you kill me, then you’ll bring a war down on your head. My men will be angry.”
“I’m sure they will but it’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before. I’ll deal with it again.”
“But what about your precious wife? Are you really going to plunge her into a war where she could get hurt?”
Nik hesitates before he grits his teeth and glares down at Alexei. “She’s already in danger because of you. She’ll always be in danger because of me and my enemies. But I will fight until the day I die to protect her. And I will kill you right now, Alexei, to keep her safe.”
“My men will come after you.”
“Then I’ll kill them too. I’m Nikolai Volkov. I run this fucking city. I will not have anyone taking it from me. I will not have anyone taking my wife from me again.”
And with those words, Nik shoots Alexei right in the head.
The only thing I feel is relief.
Nik took another life to save mine. I know we’re embroiled in this darkness forever. But right now, I don’t care.
He turns to me with an uncertain expression, like he’s worried of what I’ll think of him. I don’t hesitate to run into his arms.
Nik goes still for a moment before he wraps his arms around me, holding me close. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I didn’t get hurt.”
“I’m glad,” he breathes out, kissing the top of my head. “We should get out of here in case any of Alexei’s friends show up.”
“Nik.” I pull back. “Just answer me this. Will we have a war on our hands over this?” I nod at Alexei’s body.
“Yes,” he answers honestly. “It’s going to be a problem. There’s a reason I never killed Alexei in the past, even though he caused problems for me. He has contacts. Powerful ones. They won’t like it that Alexei is dead.”
“And yet, you killed him.”
He cups my face. “I will always protect you. I made that promise and I intend to keep it.”
I don’t even think about it. I only act. My lips are on his and Nik kisses me back so hard, it leaves me breathless.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his lips. “For fighting so hard for me. For helping me feel safe. For giving me a home.”
“Always. Now, let me get you home. I’ll deal with the fallout of this tomorrow. Right now, I just want you in my arms where I know you’ll be safe.”
I follow Nik out of the warehouse, leaving Alexei’s dead body behind. The darkness is still there but for right now, it’s replaced by the love I feel for my husband.
Chapter Nineteen
Irina
The moment Nik and I get back home, he pulls me into his arms and holds me. Just holds me.
“I’m so glad you’re safe. I was worried I’d lose you.” The vulnerability in his voice makes my throat choke up.