Vera stands by the edge of the lake, hugging her thick shawl around her shoulders. It’s a beautiful view. A stunning woman standing in front of this stunning nature. If I had a camera on me, I’d take a picture to remember this moment forever.
I open the door of the cabin and walk toward her, cursing my shoes that clack on the wooden decking. She back glances at me, and I can tell she’s been crying.
The tough assassin that came to kill me is opening up. “Good
morning, Printsessa,” I say, shifting to stand by her side.
“Good morning.” She returns her attention to the water, eyes puffy and red.
“Are you okay?”
She hugs herself even tighter, shaking her head. “I haven’t been near the water since…”
I step by her side and rest a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look at me. “Since their death?”
She nods, averting my gaze and looking over the water. “Yes.”
I watch her in fascination, wondering how a creature so beautiful was ever created. My arm slides around her waist and I pull her close. She lets me hold her and it makes a nice difference.
Vera rests her hand chest, leaning into me. After taking her virginity last night, I know how deep I am in this. The woman who tried to kill me is infecting my heart. A cold, barren wasteland that hasn’t let anyone in since my father’s death.
We connected on a level I’ve never experienced before. It was beautiful and natural, as if we were made for each other.
The sound of a gunshot startles both of us, and my first instinct is to push Vera behind me, blocking her with my body. Another one rings out and this time blood paints the decking of the log cabin. The adrenaline makes it impossible to feel the pain. I glance down and find blood spilling from my shoulder.
“Quick, inside,” I shout, grabbing her and pushing her toward the cabin.
She dashes inside, turning to me the moment the door is shut and locked. “You’re hit,” she says, rushing toward me.
“It’s a flesh wound, don’t worry.” I nod toward the sofas. “Get down behind them.” She gives me a reluctant glance. “Now.” She rushes to crouch behind the furniture.
I narrow my eyes and scan the front of the house through the bulletproof glass front. Whoever shot me is staying hidden. I duck as a bullet hits the glass, cracking it.
We’re under attack, and I’ve only got a few men in the vicinity. If they made it to the cabin, it means they made it passed them. I keep my head down and duck behind the sofa, joining Vera. “They’ve got us surrounded.” Her eyes are wide. “What are we going to do?”
I kiss her, knowing this could all go south. “I want you to stay down and hidden, no matter what. Do you understand?”
Her eyes are defiant as she glares at me. “No, I won’t stand by and do nothing, while you fight.”
I grab hold of her shoulders and dig my fingers in. “Vera, do as I say. I won’t see you hurt.”
Her gaze softens, and she nods her head. I’m not convinced that she will stay hidden, but it’s all I can do right now.
I stand from our hiding place, drawing my gun from my belt and screwing on my silencer. The cabin has too many windows, but, they are bulletproofed.
I keep my shoulder pressed against a column and use it to keep cover as I scan the grounds. A flash of movement at the front catches my eye. Two men dressed in black, carrying automatic rifles, make their way toward the front door.
Where the hell is Yakov?
Deep down, I know that if they’ve got passed him, he won’t be alive. I can’t understand how anyone found me here. Only a handful of my trusted men know of this location.
One guy is at the front door and I wait, ready to shoot him the moment he steps through. They can’t see me where I’m standing. Whoever the fuck these assholes are, they’re ballsy to come and try to kill me in my own fucking home.
The door clicks open, and the first guys steps inside. I shoot him in the head, blood splattering all over the wall behind him. The next guy ducks down out of my view, making it impossible to hit him.
A flash of movement outside draws my attention as a van drives in and pulls up. Fuck.
At least six men jump out of the back, rushing toward the front door. Adrenaline pulses through me, as I focus on the door, ready to hit as many of these bastards as I can. Vera is in danger. I have to protect her no matter the cost.
The first guy comes through the door and I wait, needing more of them to come into view. Once there are three of them standing by the door, I set off three rounds.
I catch one in the neck, another in the head and the last in the chest, but it doesn’t kill him. He’s wearing a bullet-proof vest.
“Where the fuck is he?” another man asks, staying out of view.
I almost jump out of my skin, as two hands settle on my arms. “One guy is right there,” she whispers into my ear, nodding toward the other side of the sofa where I can see two feet.
Shit.
There’s no easy way out of this. I push her behind me, blocking her between myself and the pillar. I set off a shot and catch his foot, making him yelp. He moves the wrong fucking way and I shoot him, missing his head by a damn millimeter. It is at that point, that I know I’m screwed.
All I can think about is Vera. I push her to the floor, as the shot rings out. It feels like times slows to a halt, as the bullet travels toward me, hitting me in the chest. A shrill scream rings out and I know it’s Vera. Then a flurry of gunshots fill that air along with what sounds like Alexi shouting.
I hit the floor and my eyes clamp shut. Despite wanting to hold on, I can feel myself slipping away. All I can see is Vera’s face gazing at me bathed in a ring of light, like a halo around her head. She’s a beautiful angel watching over me, and I did not protect her. All I can hope is that Alexi is here to save her.