Page 119 of Mission Shift

Nik’s voice snapped through the earpiece, “Time’s up. Get the fuck out.”

“We’re good to go. Talk to me.”

“I’ve gotten a distraction underway right at the base of the grand staircase, forcing guests to crowd above. Magnus knew just how to stir the pot. Half the Bratva here is too busy throwing punches at each other and smashing up Malinov’s overpriced décor to notice anything else.” Nik chuckled darkly through the earpiece. “But you need to move now. Exit through the back. Kitchen delivery door leads to a service lot. I got eyes on the car.”

I glanced at Daria. She wasn’t steady. The adrenaline crash hit her fast, and she wobbled slightly when she tried to take a step. I reached for her waist, anchoring her against me before she had the chance to stumble.

“I’m good,” she muttered, bracing herself against my side.

“Yeah, well, I’d rather you make it to the car upright than end up on the kitchen floor on your ass.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

I guided her out of the freezer, nodding to the woman who had brought us the tools earlier. She nodded back, slipping into the freezer behind us to clear away the evidence.

We moved swiftly through the kitchen. Workers bustled past, going about their duties and ignoring us. In no time, we were out the door.

Nik’s voice cut back in. “Valet’s lot is at the north end, behind the hedge walls. Cars lined up in neat little rows. You’ll see yours. It’s hard to miss.”

We stepped into the night air, a cool wind biting my sweat-soaked skin. Spotting the car, I led Daria toward it. Her steps faltered.

I tightened my grip around her waist, steadying her. “Almost there.”

One of her brows quirked up in question.

“You gonna tuck me in bed tonight too?” she groused when I lowered her into the passenger seat. She leaned back against the plush leather as I reached across her to buckle the belt.

I smirked. “Say the word, and I’ll read you a bedtime story.”

She shoved me out of the car, but her hands weren’t rough—they were playful. I was getting a glimpse of the woman I’d met in the chaos of our escape from the prison. Something in her had eased.

Maybe there was a chance she would forgive me.

I climbed into the driver’s seat, pressing the ignition sequence on the center touchscreen. A biometric scan of my fingerprint flashed across the console before the SF90 rumbled to life. The engine purred under the hood, the soft blue glow of the dash illuminating the cockpit. Damn, this was the most incredible car I’d ever driven. Too bad it was under such shit circumstances.

Nik’s voice barked through my earpiece. “Get your ass to the front gate. Malinov’s noticed she’s missing, and he’s throwing a fucking fit.”

I shifted into gear and punched the accelerator. The Ferrari launched forward, tires gripping the pavement as I maneuvered along the estate’s winding drive.

Nik chuckled. “Magnus got out just before Malinov put a bullet in someone’s head. Perfect timing.”

When I reached the main drive, Nik said sharply, “Gate’s locked down tight. Give me ten seconds.”

Ten seconds was too fucking long.

The headlights of SUVs flared up behind us, and then—gunfire.

Bullets chewed into the stones of the driveway, one ricocheting off the back fender. Daria braced herself against the door and console, gritting her teeth.

“Any day now, Nik,” I growled.

Nik laughed. “Relax. Gate’s opening—”

The steel gate slid open, barely wide enough, but I squeezed through, clipping the edge of the barrier.

“Now for the fun part,” Nik said gleefully. “Shutting it down permanently.”

A second later, an explosion went off behind us. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I watched fire flare and shrapnel fly. The gate crumpled inward. Twisted metal now blocked the entrance to the estate.

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