Page 126 of The Last Hope

“I can’t,” he choked, trying to rise, she cupped his face, turning it to hers.

“I know you’re scared, Sasha. I know what it feels like. When Grigori got shot, I thought my heart would stop. But charging into battle like this won’t help Sienna. Don’t you want to be here when she wakes up ? Make sure she eats ?”

Her thumbs brushed his cheeks and Sasha closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Then he pulled her into a hug, clutching her tightly.

“We’ll spill their blood, Sasha. I promise,” she whispered, leaning into him. And he stared past her, his gaze fixed on the horizon—cold, unrelenting.

“Well, my beautiful wife, your wishes are coming true faster than expected,” Grigori said, checking his phone. “Lorenzo just sent me an address. He’s waiting.”

Sasha grabbed his rifle from Roman and stalked toward one of the cars, his younger brother close behind. Grigori kissed Elif and headed for the driver’s seat as Nikolai turned to climb the steps.

He reached me in seconds, “be careful,” I whispered as he held me.

“I’m not going anywhere. Not while my fiancée is waiting for me at home,” he said.

He kissed me and I blinked up at him.

“Fiancée ?” I repeated, breathless and he smirked. “Second drawer in our room. Put it on. You said yes—no going back now,Solnychko.”

Before I could respond, Grigori honked, “and finish your sandwich !” Nikolai called as he climbed in, leaving me stunned in the doorway.

“Fiancée, huh?” Elif teased, bumping my shoulder.

“I…”

“Well, I’ve got a wedding to plan !” she exclaimed, hurrying inside to drag Velma and Sena into a bridal mission.

Oh God. These women.

I darted into the kitchen, grabbed the rest of my sandwich, and hurried upstairs. To my relief, the corpse was gone.

The house was spotless.

No blood. No bodies.

Even the damaged furniture had vanished.

I exhaled and sat at the edge of the bed. Setting the plate on the dresser, I opened the second drawer with trembling fingers.

Inside, nestled in velvet, was a small midnight-blue box. I opened it slowly and my breath caught.

A gold ring with a deep blue sapphire, encircled by four tiny diamonds.

Our sons.

And the sapphire… his blue. Nikolai’s blue.

A sob escaped as I slipped it onto my finger and it fit perfectly.

I pressed my hand against my chest. Wearing it felt like carrying all of them with me—on my hand, in my heart.

And no matter what Antonio did, he could never take that away.

Never.

Chapter thirty-three

Nikolai

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