Page 163 of Vendetta Vows

That day is today.

I'm done being a victim. I'm done letting him control my life through fear.

This ends today.

One way or another.

42

RUSLAN

"I understand you didn't know."I speak softly to Mikayla, trying to temper the frustration that threatens to burst from my chest.

Her eyes are red from crying, her shoulders slumped in a way that reminds me of a much younger girl, not the fierce fifteen-year-old who usually stands so tall.

"But I should have." She wipes her nose with the back of her hand. "I should have realized Mama would?—"

"Your mother knew exactly what she was doing," I say. "She sent you that link knowing you would click it without thinking twice."

Mikayla nods, her dark hair falling across her face. "She said it was a wedding gift. For you and Aurora. She said it was a surprise."

The only surprise Tamara ever delivered was suffering. I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "You cannot trust her, Mikayla. Not anymore. What she did could have endangered us all."

"Uncle Ruslan, I didn't?—"

My phone buzzes. A security alert. Front gate opening.

I'm across the room in three strides, pulling up the security feed on the monitor. If Tamara is watching—and I know she is—she'll see exactly what I'm seeing: a black sedan leaving the property, the gates swinging closed behind it.

"Who authorized—" The words die in my throat as I recognize the car.

It's one of mine, which means someone inside gave the order.

"Uncle Ruslan?" Mikayla's voice trembles.

"Go to your sisters." I'm already reaching for my gun. "Now."

"But what's happening?"

"Go! Now!" My voice comes out sharper than intended. "Stay with them until either Artyom or I come for you."

I burst through the office doors. "Artyom!"

His head snaps up at my voice.

"Someone's taken a car," I say, voice tight. "Front gate just opened."

"Which car?"

"The black sedan." My fingers curl into fists as I watch him pull out his phone, barking orders into it.

"Lock down the property. I want all outdoor cameras reviewed in the last thirty minutes. Send me the feed to my phone now."

Daria appears at my side, her normally composed face pinched with worry. "Ruslan Vitalyevich..."

One look at her expression and ice slides down my spine. "What?"

"Aurora left." Daria's voice drops. "She took the sedan. She said Hannah is in danger and she needed to go."

---