Page 140 of The Last Hope

“And your wife, Mr. Ivanov ?”

My wife ?

“Excuse me ? My wife ?” My voice dropped to a dangerous low, and Sasha froze beside me.

“Uh… yes, sir. Your wife was with your brother when we arrested him,” Jeff stammered, his confidence fading fast.

I closed my eyes and inhaled sharply, my grip tightening on the phone until I could almost feel it cracking.

Roman. You’re dead.

“I’m on my way. Don’t let them leave,” I growled.

Selina

I fidgeted with my wedding ring, my eyes fixed on it, my legs shaking uncontrollably.

Nikolai was not going to let this slide.

I knew he’d never hurt me, but the anxiety curled around my ribs like a tightening rope.

Across from me, Roman sighed as Chief Jeff called my husband, standing stiffly behind his desk.

And to think—it had all started so well.

Six hours earlier.

We had left the city and driven under a bridge, where a whole new world had appeared.

Brightly colored sports cars were lined up side by side, engines purring like predators. A crowd danced to deafening music that no one outside could hear. Some wore flashy suits. Others were nearly naked.

Roman had parked his electric blueBMW M2 CS—he’d talked about it the entire ride—right in the center. The crowd erupted in cheers.

I had stepped out after him, adjusting the black crop top beneath my leather jacket—clothes borrowed from my sister’s closet, and I had a lot of questions about her wardrobe choices.

Roman exchanged hugs and handshakes while I took in the scene.

It wasn’t my world, not one I belonged to—but God, it was thrilling.

“The next race is ours !” Roman announced, drawing sharp glares from women who kept their distance. Afraid, maybe?

“This isn’t dangerous, right ?” I had asked, nervously biting my lip.

Roman laughed, “you can’t have fun without taking risks, Nana.”

“Nana ?” I raised an eyebrow.

He just winked, practically buzzing with excitement.

Engines growled in the distance. Two cars roared down the line, taking a sharp turn before accelerating between the rows. Startled, I stepped back. Roman caught me just before I could fall.

“Roman !” I shouted, as the cars flew past, but he just laughed, holding me steady.

The cars screeched to a halt a meter away. The green one edged ahead as the drivers jumped out, already shouting.

“You cheated ! You cut the last corner !”

Roman stepped between them, pushing them apart, “come on, guys. Don’t be sore losers,” he said with a grin—different from the ones he gave me or the family.

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