Page 63 of Anton

“Hey, no flirting with my woman,” I mock-growled, pulling her into my side.

“About time you claimed her as such,” Ash said. The rest of the guys nodded.

“Don’t worry, Marcie, if this idiot doesn’t keep you satisfied, you know where to come.” Vlad winked, and I lunged, fist swinging. He ducked aside, chuckling good-naturedly.

“Enough,” Miki shouted, his voice that of the commanding Pakhan once more. The stables went quiet, everyone looking a bit sheepish.

“I’ll get Sara to make you a cape,” Trigger whispered, breaking the tense silence. “Silver okay?”

Miki groaned and rolled his eyes, though a grin tugged at his lips. “You guys are ridiculous.”

“That’s why you love us,” I said, sending him a grin.

“Alright, enough with the superhero and big cock nonsense,” Miki shook his head and rolled his eyes, again.

Ash laughed and turned to Marcie and me. “Let’s get you both out of here. We rented a villa a couple of hours from here. We’ll go there, get you something to eat, let you rest.”

Miki nodded in agreement. “We need to regroup. And then we’ll talk, and plan.”

“Fine,” I said, taking Marcie’s hand in mine, “let’s go.”

“Thank god,” Marcie murmured, and I squeezed her fingers as we made our way out, the feel of her touch, the warmth of the guys’ camaraderie, and the promise of a little peace for the night finally settling my nerves.

With my brothers here, we were safe, and I allowed myself a brief moment of relief. Tomorrow, we'd face the danger head-on, no more running. The psycho bitch and her game were about to learn what happens when you push us too far.

CHAPTER 25

MARCIE

DAY 4 – LATER THAT NIGHT – SAFE AT LAST

The Jeep rumbled down the winding road, the golden light of afternoon casting a warm glow over the rugged hills. I sat squished in the backseat tucked up against Anton with Ash on my other side. Up front, Vlad was back to his usual self—silent and stoic as he drove, his earlier teasing replaced by the sharp focus of a man who took his job seriously. Miki sat in the passenger seat, his gaze scanning the horizon, ever alert.

Behind us, the second Jeep followed close, with Romi, Trigger, and Marko, no doubt bantering, and annoying the hell out of each other as they often did.

“I can’t wait to get out of these clothes,” I muttered, wrinkling my nose as I looked down at my ill-fitting, grimy outfit.

Ash turned toward me, a small smile playing on his lips. “Claire packed a bag for you. It’s got a change of clothes from your flat.”

I glanced up at him, eyebrows raised. “Oh, so you knew we’d still be alive by the time you got to us?”

“Of course, the hunters were never truly a problem. Not for Anton,” Ash replied easily. “He’s got the kind of skills and endurance most other men can only dream of.”

Anton puffed up beside me, grinning as I leaned into my Mr Sexy Soldier with a wink. “He sure does,” I teased, chuckling as the innuendo slipped effortlessly from my lips.

Ash groaned, cringing as he realised exactly what he’d said.

Miki’s low snort from the front seat made Vlad’s lips twitch, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

The gentle motion of the car and the warmth of Anton’s arm around me soon had my eyelids growing heavy. I yawned, snuggling closer to him as my head rested against his shoulder. His hand rubbed soothing circles on my arm as I drifted off.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Anton whispered in my ear before nibbling the lobe. I swatted at him and giggled as my eyelids flickered open.

I inhaled sharply, a surge of awe rushing through me. The villa stood majestically on the hillside, overlooking a valley dotted with olive groves. Whitewashed walls gleamed under the moonlight, and the terracotta-tiled roof was framed by tall, swaying palms. A wide veranda wrapped around the front, furnished with cushioned loungers and a table set for alfresco dining.

Inside, the luxury was understated yet undeniable. Polished wooden beams stretched across the high ceilings, and a massive stone fireplace commanded one wall of the expansive open-plan living space. Soft rugs in warm, earthy tones covered the terracotta-tiled floors, while every piece of furniture exuded modern chic.

Ash led us to a spacious bedroom with a large window that overlooked the valley. I stepped inside and immediately noticedthe bed—a massive, inviting expanse with crisp white linens which dominated the room. The bed. One bed.

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