Page 76 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

He’s holding a gun, the barrel pressed to Alexia’s head, his fingers wrapped tight around the grip.Even now, her stance is defiant, her jaw is set tight, and her gaze is locked onto him with a fierceness that takes my breath away.She’s bruised, a dark mark blooming across her cheekbone, but her spirit remains unbroken.

In the corner, I spot Rose and Pete, huddled together, their small bodies trembling, eyes wide with fear.Rose clutches Pete’s arm, her lips quivering, her gaze darting between Igor and her mother.The sight of the kids like that—so helpless and terrified—sends a new wave of rage through me, white-hot and all-consuming.

My gaze locks onto Alexia through the glass.As if sensing me, she lifts her eyes to focus on my face.For a brief moment, everything else fades away, and it’s just the two of us, a silent promise passing between us.In her expression, I see a flicker of fear, yes, but also fierce, unyielding love.She gives me the smallest nod, a barely perceptible signal, and it’s all the confirmation I need.She’s ready.

“Nik,” I grunt as quietly as I can manage.“A distraction.Now.”

There’s no hesitation.“On five, Dave.”

His voice counts down in my ear, the numbers like a drumbeat against the silence.“Five… four… three… two… one…”

An explosion rocks the stronghold, the walls shuddering as dust and debris rain down from above.Igor stumbles, his grip on the gun faltering, and in that split second, I press closer, every muscle coiled, every nerve screaming for me to move.

I signal my brothers, each of them moving into position like shadows against the walls, readying themselves for what’s coming.Shelby and Tommy flank the door, weapons raised and eyes sharp, every nerve coiled in anticipation.We’ve fought through hell to get here, and now it’s all down to this last move.The final push.Each of us knows what’s at stake—and none of us are leaving without our family.

Just as I lift my gun, about to burst in, a voice cuts through the air—cold, calm, and dripping with malice.

“Don’t be shy.Come on in, Dave.”Igor’s voice slithers through the concrete hall.His tone is dark, mocking.“But I warn you, take one wrong step, and you’ll never see your precious Alexia again.”Igor’s threat is as sharp and chilling as the barrel he’s pressing against her temple.

I stare at the door, my hand hovering over the handle, every instinct screaming for me to break through, to end this.But his words echo in my mind, a taunt, a warning.

With a sharp inhale, I push the handle down, kicking the door and slamming it against the wall.

This ends now.

31

Alexia

The room is cavernous, a bare concrete dungeon with damp walls stained by years of neglect, and the harsh fluorescent lighting does nothing to mask its ugliness.The air is thick, reeking of mold and old blood, a stench that clings to the back of my throat.

An explosion rattles the old building, and I step back from Igor, but his gun stays trained on me.

“Don’t be shy.Come on in, Dave,” Igor taunts.“But I warn you, take one wrong step, and you’ll never see your precious Alexia again.”

Dave surges through the door, and relief crashes over me like a tsunami.He stands out against the gray backdrop, strength and fury emanating from his imposing frame.His shirt is rumpled, his leather jacket is open, and there’s a fire in his deep-set green eyes.

My breath catches.

The rage simmering under his stoic expression is aimed at Igor, but I pick up on the concern as his gaze locks onto me.

For a heartbeat, the world narrows to just Dave, the man who I’ve wounded deeply.Yet, here he is, risking everything to save me and our daughter.This tender moment is shattered as Igor shoves me forward, thrusting me into Dave’s path like I’m a rag doll.

Igor’s dark, hollow eyes gleam with malice.The scar cutting down his cheek adds to his sadistic aura.He’s tall and broad.His graying hair is slicked back meticulously, a clear sign of his vanity.“She’s all yours, Boyle, for whatever time she has left,” Igor sneers, his voice laced with venom.

Dave’s arms catch me before I stumble, holding me firm and steady.His touch is warm, grounding me.He offers me a silent promise of safety despite the chaos erupting around us.Tension radiates off him as his grip on my shoulders tightens.

His eyes rake over me, scanning for any signs of injury.“Are you hurt?”he asks in a low growl.

“No,” I whisper, despite the visible trembling of my body.“I’m okay.”

Gunfire erupts from the hallway outside, echoing off the bare walls, sharp and unrelenting.My heart pounds while Dave’s eyes flick toward the door.His jaw clenches as the sound grows; his men are locked in a deadly fight with Igor’s reinforcements.

Through the deafening explosion of bullets, someone shouts in Dave’s earpiece.His voice is so loud even I can hear it over the cacophony, “He’s on the run!”

I glance back just in time to see Igor, holding a child under each arm like trophies, slipping out through a side door, his movements swift despite the weight he carries.Rose’s small, terrified face breaks my heart.Her dark green eyes, wide with fear, fracture my soul.Rose clings to her stuffed dog, clutching it like it’s her last link to safety.

That sight snaps me out of my stupor.“Rose!”I scream, my throat hoarse, strangled by terror.

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