Page 75 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

Pride and terror twist in my gut.I should’ve known she’d fight back.That she wouldn’t sit still, not with Rose’s life at stake.But Nikolai’s right—she’s playing with fire, and one wrong move could mean the end.I can’t let that happen.

“Keep her on my screen,” I grit out, shifting my stance, my gun steady in my hands.“And give me a clear path to her.”

“Working on it,” Nikolai mutters, his voice strained.

I hear him typing as he maneuvers through Igor’s system.Every second that ticks by feels like a lifetime, the urgency clawing at me, driving me forward.

We push through, switching tactics on the fly, using smoke bombs to cover our movements, dodging in and out of the shadows.It’s brutal, a high-stakes game of cat and mouse where every slip or hesitation could be fatal.But each step forward is one closer to Alexia.To Rose.The pounding of my heart matches the rhythm of my boots on the concrete floor.

As we near the final stretch, Nikolai’s voice filters through, tense but steady.“Dave, you’re almost there.Just…be careful.Igor’s got the place rigged.He’s ready for you.”

The words hit me like a punch, but I swallow the fear, shoving it down.Everything I’ve fought for—this is where it all matters.I grip the handle of my gun tighter, glancing back at Shelby, who’s watching me through the smeared lens of his glasses with the same determination.

“This ends tonight,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else, but Shelby nods, a fierce glint in his eye.He knows what’s at stake.

As we approach the last turn, I catch a glimpse of her on the security feed Nikolai’s patched through to my tablet.Alexia—fierce, defiant, moving with a purpose that makes my heart clench.I can’t see in her eyes clearly, but I bet my darkened soul there’s fire in them, a raw determination that matches my own.She’s fighting for our daughter.For herself.For us.And I’ll be damned if I let Igor take that away.

I grit my teeth, pressing forward, every sense attuned to the danger lurking around the corner.

The mission has never been just a mission.

This has always been personal.

And Igor’s about to learn exactly what that means.

Just a few more yards.

Then, I’ll finally be face-to-face with the man who tried to destroy everything I love.

The air is heavy, laced with the metallic bite of gunpowder.Dust hangs like a low cloud, stirred by every footstep as we push forward.We’ve broken through the last line of defense, left Igor’s men sprawled out behind us, but I know this is far from over.

Shadows flicker along the walls, adding an eerie, almost sinister edge to the place.The compound seems to breathe around us, waiting.Every step echoes, reminding us that there’s no turning back.

Nikolai’s voice breaks through the static in my earpiece, his tone is low and tense.“Dave, Alexia’s on the move again.She’s climbed the stairs and landed on the floor where Igor is.”

My heart lurches, and my fingers curl tighter around the edges of the tablet.“Show me,” I order.Alexia’s image comes to life on the small screen.She’s risking herself to save the kids.I grunt, “Nik, I know she’s capable but she can’t face Igor on her own.”I don’t tell him that her scars have marked more than only her body.Igor has wounded Alexia’s soul.And now he’s threatening her daughter.No, our daughter.He’s underestimated her resilience; something I would never do.But, no matter how defiant she is, this is a totally different ball game.As I watch her advancing, I tell Nikolai, “Alexia’s heading straight into the monster’s lair.”

“Damn, she’s resourceful, Dave.You should’ve seen her, what she can do with a spoon.”There’s an unmistakable note of pride in Nikolai’s voice, but it is mixed with unease.After a pause, he adds, “If she reaches Igor before we do, she might not walk out of there, my friend.”

“And we both know she’ll face him, no matter what it costs her,” I groan.My gut twists.On the screen, I can see that every move she makes is calculated and precise.My grip on the gun tightens as I push forward, my voice a low growl through the earpiece.“Keep an eye on her, Nik.I’m closing in.”

Fear gnaws at the edges of my mind, but I shove it down.This is about saving her.Saving them.Alexia’s fighting for Rose, for Pete, for a future without the shadow of Igor looming over her.And I won’t let her face him alone.

Pull your shit together, I tell myself.Yes, their fate is in your hands.But you’re used to responsibilities and duties.You’ve got this.

A bottomless pit opens up in my stomach, the gap threatening to swallow my world.For the first time in my life, I’m leading my men into battle for something other than power or money.I’m doing this to save the people I love.And this makes all the difference.

My heart pounds faster and harder with every step forward, every inch closer.A pang of regret sharpens within me as I think of Rose—my daughter.The years I missed with her, moments I’ll never get back.Igor stole too much from us already, ripped away my chance to see her first smile, her first steps.I can’t change the past, but I’ll be damned if I let him steal any more of her future from me.The thought hardens me.

Suddenly, a scream tears through the silence, echoing down the corridor, sharp and chilling.It feels like a knife driving into my chest, visceral.I don’t know if it’s Alexia or someone else, but it doesn’t matter.I press forward, holding my weapon at the ready, swallowing down the surge of panic clawing at my throat.Time is slipping away, every second pushing them closer to danger.

“Nik, what’s going on?”I struggle to say.

“Hold on, Dave,” he replies, his voice steady.“You’re just a couple of rooms away from where Igor is.He’s got both kids with him.Alexia is closing in as well.”

I grit my teeth as his words settle over me like a sheet of lead, weighing me down.Igor’s always been one step ahead, manipulating, twisting, like the predator he is.

I round the last corner and see a slightly ajar door at the end of the hall.A faint glow of light is spilling out.I move closer, pressing myself against the wall, peering through the narrow glass panel.Igor himself is in the middle of the room, standing tall and menacing, his scarred face twisted into a sick sneer.His onyx-like eyes are empty, soulless.They are the eyes of a man who’s broken too many people and rejoiced in watching them suffer.

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