Page 70 of Sinful Union

We both freeze. Kat instinctively steps toward the office door, but I quickly grab her arm. I have security posted. Nobody should be getting close enough to break into my penthouse at this hour—or ever.

“Stay here,” I hiss, yanking out my phone. The camera feed shows my guard lying on the floor near the door, his legs sticking out. My pulse spikes. I can’t tell whether he’s dead or just unconscious. A wave of cold rage runs through me.

“Pavel?” Kat whispers. “What’s happening?”

“Get Ana and Camille,” I command, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Go to the panic room, lock it, and don’t come out until I say.”

She pales but doesn’t argue. “What about you?”

I’m already texting my men.

Breach. Now.

“Help is on the way.”

Before I can say anything else, a small explosion from downstairs echoes up the hall.

Kat yelps, fear in her eyes. I toss my phone aside, stepping in front of her as a swarm of at least a dozen armed men barrels into my office, their weapons aimed right at us. My mind spins.

Where the hell is my security detail?

“Get on the floor!” one of them barks, the muzzle of his gun pointed at my chest.

Fury boils within, but Kat’s right behind me, pressed against my back. If I try something, they’ll shoot her. I raise my hands slowly.

One intruder steps forward, jabbing his rifle at us. “Down! Now!”

I ease myself to my knees, pulling Kat down with me. I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. Masked strangers are taking over my home. Kat’s breath is shaky. I’m dying to lash out, but I can’t risk them turning their guns on her.

How the hell did this happen?

The men shout at each other as they form a perimeter. Another stares me down, his weapon inches from my face. I managed to hit send on that text, but it might be too late.

One of them yells, “Hands behind your head! Don’t fucking move!”

They force me onto my stomach, one of them smashing my phone beneath their boot. I snarl inwardly. My last link to help—gone. Pain rips through me when a rifle butt cracks against my shoulder. Kat cries out in fear, but they tell her to shut up. My mind roars with the urge to kill them all, but I stay still, swallowing the rage.

I’m yanked upright, my arms wrenched behind my back. Fire spreads through my muscles. I steal a quick look at Kat—she’s in the same state, trembling and restrained. The men bark orders to each other, scanning the halls for any other targets. If any of my guards are still alive, they’re nowhere to be found.

One of the men steps in front of me. “Where’s the rest of your family?”

I refuse to answer. He jerks my arms higher, pain burning down my spine. Kat stifles a sob beside me. I meet her eyes, trying to project calm, but inside, I’m fuming. If they so much as touch her…

Suddenly, they push both of us back down on our knees. The muzzle of a gun presses to my temple.

Ana had better be with Camille, I think, a red haze edging my vision. My unborn child, my wife, my daughter: Everything that matters to me is in jeopardy.

“Tell me where everyone else is,” another man snarls at me.

I keep my mouth shut. He tries again, but I only glare. I grunt as the butt of a rifle slams into my ribs. My head spins with agony, but still I don’t answer. Kat whimpers, tears streaming down her face. She’s terrified. I can’t afford to look weak; men like this thrive on fear.

The leader steps forward, gun at my face. “Tell us now, or you’re both dead.”

“Fuck you.”

He presses the barrel against my cheek. Kat’s cries, ripping my heart in half. But I won’t tell them anything.

In the back of my mind, one single thought screams:My men better show up soon, orwe’re dead.

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