Page 149 of The Last Hope

“Nikolai, Selina… I’m sorry. I tried to stop her, but—” Nina’s voice wavered as Selina suddenly pulled her into a hug. Both women cried silently.

“Oh, my babies,” Elif murmured, rubbing their backs as Grigori came to rest a hand on my shoulder.

“Mama ?” a small voice called from the doorway. I looked up and saw Rafael and Andrei standing with Sienna.

Selina quickly wiped her face, forcing a smile, “my angels,” she whispered, opening her arms. They ran to her without hesitation.

I knelt beside them and gently pulled down Rafael’s collar as he buried his face against his mother’s chest. My stomach turned at the marks around his neck. Then, I rolled up Andrei’s sleeve. More bruises.

Behind me, Elif swore under her breath, ready to finish what Selina had started, but Grigori held her back. Sienna, on the other hand, was gone.

And for once, I hoped she caused real damage. And prayers answered because screams erupted outside.

I tensed, but Elif shook her head, “we’ll handle it,” she said, striding out with Grigori following.

“I’ll take them to the playroom,” Nina offered, motioning for the boys. They each gave me a hug before following her, “thank you, Nina. For everything,” I murmured as she closed the door.

I turned to my wife, still sitting on the floor, staring at the blood-stained marble sphere.

“I could have killed her,” she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else. I knelt, cupping her face in my hands.

She looked up at me, her red-rimmed eyes full of anguish. “What came over me ? I could’ve killed her, Nikolai. Oh my God…” she sobbed again.

“No, Selina. You did what any mother would’ve done to protect her children.”

She shook her head, “you don’t understand, Niko. I swore I’d never raise my hand against anyone. I swore I’d never become someone’s monster.”

I pulled her into my arms as her tears soaked my shirt, as her pain cut through me.

“Everything will be alright,moylubov’. I promise,” I whispered into her hair, breathing her in.

A gunshot suddenly rang out from outside, “Blayt’,” I cursed as we bolted toward the hall.

The Ignatievs’ car sped away, another shot shattering its rear window.

“Sienna !” Selina screamed, running outside just as Sasha snatched the gun from my sister-in-law and lifted her off the ground, though she continued to shout.

“I don’t give a damn about your business ! That bitch needs to die, you hear me ? Let me go this instant, Hardman !”

“She’s not wrong,” my other sister-in-law muttered, arms crossed. Grigori glared, but she only shrugged, “nice shot, by the way,” Roman said, staring after the car. “We should hit the range together, huh, Sienna?”

He turned to face her—then froze.

“Sienna ?” Sasha called out as her body went limp.

“I think… I think I need an injection,” she murmured, clinging to his arm.

“Oh, shit,” Elif muttered, stepping closer.

Selina sprinted back inside as Sasha carried Sienna to the couch, laying her down gently and elevating her legs. Elif brushed the hair from her forehead.

“Roman, get her water,” she ordered gently and he rushed off.

“I’ll call the doctor, just in case,” Grigori said, striding toward the terrace.

Moments later, Selina returned with a syringe. Sasha rolled up Sienna’s shirt, exposing her stomach, and Selina injected the insulin quickly before collapsing beside her, clutching her hand.

“I’m so sorry, Sienna. I’m so, so sorry for the other day,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to her sister’s hand as tears ran freely.

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