I stumble and crash against the altar.
"You dare come here?" Maksim's voice is deadly. "On my wedding day?"
Maksim's lip curls into a snarl as his hand slides inside his jacket, reaching for what I know must be his gun.
Cristian doesn't flinch.
His eyes find mine for a fraction of a second, and I see everything there.
His love.
His goodbye.
His absolute certainty in what he's about to do.
"No!" I scream again, struggling to my feet.
But it's too late.
Maksim’s fingers close around his weapon.
Cristian's arm extends toward him.
The gunshot cracks through the room like thunder. Maksim’s head snaps back and red begins to ooze.
For a surreal moment, he remains standing, a look of shock frozen on his face.
Then his legs buckle, and he collapses backward onto the altar.
The church erupts into screams.
Alessandro is shouting orders.
Bratva men are rushing forward.
So are Dante men.
But none are armed.
Cristian lowers his gun, his gaze meeting mine across the chaos. "I'm sorry," he mouths, but why? And why isn’t he leaving? He just stands there, gun hanging loosely at his side, eyes locked with mine.
“This is your doing, Dante,” someone yells.
Alessandro moves closer, drawing his weapon.
At first, I thank God.
He can protect us.
He lifts his gun and fires.
The gunshot cracks through the air.
I watch in horror as the bullet strikes Cristian squarely in the chest.
“No!”
Cristian’s body jerks violently.