Page 60 of Perfect Stalker

A deafening crack splits the air. Stephen’s body jerks, then goes limp, collapsing on top of me. Warm liquid seeps through my dress, and the metallic scent of blood fills my nostrils.

I lie there, paralyzed, as Stephen’s dead weight crushes me. My ears ring from the gunshot, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. Then strong hands are pulling away his body, and I’m being lifted into familiar arms.

“Jenny?” Ivan’s voice cuts through the fog in my mind. “Jenny, look at me. Are you hurt?”

I blink, focusing on his face. Concern etches deep lines around his eyes and mouth. “I... I don’t think so,” I manage to say.

He looks me over, checking for injuries. His jaw clenches when he sees the bruises forming on my wrists and arms. “I’m going to kill them all,” he says with a growl.

“You already killed Stephen,” I say with gratitude before giving him a passionate kiss. “Just like you promised.” The reality of the situation finally sinks in. I glance at the crumpled form on the floor, and the pool of blood spreading beneath him. My stomach lurches, but I’m also filled with dark glee. He’ll never touch me again.

“Da. I don’t make promises lightly.” He kisses me again before holding my hand. “We have to get out of here.” Stay behind me.

I nod and follow him. He leaves cautiously, and then I ease out of the refrigerated room, my mouth dry. The chill from the room clings to my skin in contrast to the warmth of Ivan’s body beside me. We step into the warehouse, and I hold my breath.

Alexei stands before us, flanked by a group of men in tactical gear. Their weapons gleam in the dim light. I glance at Ivan. He’s coiled tightly, like a predator ready to strike.

“You made it, old friend,” says Alexei his voice dripping with false cheer. “And you found your weakness. How touching.”

Ivan clenches his jaw while flexing his fingers at his sides. I want to reach out, to grab his hand and run, but it’s futile. There’s no escape from this.

“Let her go, Alexei,” says Ivan quietly. “This is between us.”

Alexei’s lips curl into a cruel smile. “Oh, I don’t think so. You need to see her death before I grant you the mercy of your own.”

My skin crawls at his words. I’m not an asset. I’m not a bargaining chip. I’m a person, dammit. “You won’t touch me,” I say harshly, surprised by my own bravery but not my faith in Ivan.

His eyes narrow, focusing on me. “Feisty little thing, isn’t she? I can see why you like her, Ivan.”

Ivan takes a step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me. “This ends now, Alexei. You and me. Leave her out of it.”

For a moment, the warehouse is silent save for the hum of distant machinery. Then, without warning, Ivan moves.

It happens so fast I can barely process it. One second, Ivan’s beside me, and the next, he’s taking down Alexei’s men with brutal efficiency. His movements are fluid and precise, like a deadly dance. I watch, frozen, as he disarms one guard and uses him as a human shield against another’s gunfire.

Alexei’s smug expression falters, replaced by something closer to wariness. He barks orders at his remaining men, but they’re no match for Ivan’s rage-fueled assault, especially when Marcus and the others join the fracas, quickly subduing Alexei’s small army.

I press myself against the wall, trying to make myself as small as possible. The sounds of the fight echo through the warehouse—grunts of pain, the crack of bones, and the dull thud of bodies hitting the concrete floor.

When it’s over, Ivan and his men stand amid a sea of groaning, dead, and unconscious men. His chest heaves with exertion,and his knuckles are bloodied. He turns to Alexei, who’s backed himself into a corner and still looks fresh, since he hasn’t deigned to fight.

“It’s over,” he says as he stares at Alexei. “You’ve proven once again that you were never meant for this life by hiding behind others to do your dirty work.” He spits on the floor, leaving behind bloody saliva. “I didn’t betray you to gain more power. I was trying to save you from your own weakness when I told Vyacheslav to give you an administrative role.”

“Liar.” Alexei looks enraged as he rushes forward.

I watch in horror as Ivan and Alexei circle each other, their gazes locked in a deadly stare. The warehouse air feels thick with tension, and I can barely breathe. Ivan’s face is a mask of cold fury, while Alexei’s lips curl into a sneer.

“You should have stayed in Moscow, Alexei,” says Ivan with a hint of regret. “Now, I’ll have to kill you.”

Alexei laughs, a harsh sound that echoes off the metal walls. “And miss this reunion? Never. I’ll be the one walking away,old friend.”

They move with lightning speed, fists flying and bodies twisting. I press myself against the wall, trying to stay out of the way. Marcus and the others hang back, watching but not interfering. I infer this must be some kind ofBratvacode thing. The sound of flesh hitting flesh makes me wince.

Ivan lands a solid punch to Alexei’s jaw, sending him stumbling backward, but Alexei recovers quickly, lunging forward with a vicious uppercut. Ivan dodges, barely, and counters with a knee to Alexei’s stomach.

They grapple, crashing into crates and machinery. I see flashes of silver—knives, I realize with a jolt of fear. The fight becomes a deadly dance, blades glinting in the dim light. Alexei manages to slice Ivan’s arm, drawing a thin line of blood. Ivan hisses in pain but doesn’t slow down. He retaliates with a series of lightning-fast strikes that leave Alexei reeling.

“You were always second best,” says Ivan, his eyes glittering with cold rage. “Always in my shadow.”

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