Page 125 of The Last Hope

She had been too young to see the danger coming. And it had dragged me into something far worse. But unlike what she believed, I had never blamed her.

She was just a child and she was under my responsibility. I should have protected her better.

“Eat,Solnychko,” Nikolai whispered, pushing the plate closer.

I obeyed, even as my throat tightened. I needed strength.

For the kids.

For Sienna.

For Nikolai.

For our family.

So I ate—not for myself, but for them. But I had overestimated myself. Halfway through, I set the sandwich down, took a sip of water, and said, “I can’t eat anymore.”

Before Nikolai could protest, heavy footsteps thundered down the stairs. Sasha stormed into the hall, a rifle nearly as long as my leg in hand.

Nikolai cursed and bolted after him, followed by his brothers.

I trailed after them, stopping near the doorway as they all stood at the base of the stairs, arguing. Grigori gripped Sasha’s rifle, trying to wrest it away, but Sasha refused to let go.

I had never seen him like this. He was seething. And despite myself, I took a step back.

So much rage.

So much hate.

“For fuck’s sake, calm down,” Nikolai growled, grabbing Sasha’s shoulder. But Sasha shoved him off, locking eyes with his brother.

“Calm down ?! You want me to fucking calm down ?!” He grabbed Nikolai’s jacket with both fists.

“She can barely speak ! Sixteen stitches, Niko. Sixteen fucking stitches!”

Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. And then I sensed someone approaching.

“What’s going on ?” Elif asked breathlessly, taking in the scene.

“I… I think Sasha wants revenge. For Sienna,” I whispered, my heart aching.

He loved her. Sasha Ivanov loved my sister.

Even if neither of them realized it yet. And when the time came, he would burn the world for her. And I wasn’t sure anyone could stop him.

“And we will make them pay,” Grigori said calmly. “But not like this,moy brat. Where do you think you’re even going ?”

“I’m going to find Lorenzo. He must know who did this,” Sasha growled, pacing as he raked his hands through his hair again and again.

“You’re not thinking straight,” Nikolai snapped. “Do you honestly believe that if Lorenzo had known anything, he wouldn’t have warned us ? We already contacted him. He’s digging. He’ll find out.”

Nikolai grabbed his arm again, but Sasha yanked away—only to stumble on the first step and fall hard on his back.

I gasped as Elif, still barefoot and in her nightgown, rushed to his side.

The brothers just stood there, stunned, “hey, hey, breathe. Calm down,” Elif murmured, her hand on his back.

When he didn’t respond, she began rubbing gentle circles.

---