Page 44 of The Last Hope

I jerk away, my breath unsteady, as Nikolaï immediately turns, stepping in front of me, his hand instinctively reaching behind his back for his weapon, ready.

“Go to hell !” a familiar female voice yells.

“Sienna !” I cry, pushing past Nikolaï toward the entrance.

My sister stands there, drenched from head to toe, slamming the door shut behind her as I pull her into my arms.

“Oh my God, Sienna, I was so scared,” I murmur, stepping back to examine her for any injuries.

All the anger in her expression fades, replaced by guilt and regret.

“I’m fine, Selina. I’m so sorry for worrying you,” she says, wiping away my tears—tears I hadn’t even noticed.

I shake my head, brushing wet strands of hair from her face.

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re safe,miasorella. You need to get changed—you’re freezing,” I say, sniffing slightly.

I grab her hand to lead her toward the stairs, but we both freeze when the door swings open again, revealing Sasha, just as soaked as my sister.

“This conversation isn’t over,malen’kayagadyuka,” he growls, his dark gaze locking onto Sienna.

She visibly tenses—whether from the cold or fear, I can’t tell.

But Sienna is Sienna.

She yanks her hand from mine, squaring her shoulders before him.

“I have nothing to say to you! And I swear, if you so much as touch me again, the next thing flying out of your mouth will be your goddamn teeth!” she snaps, her eyes blazing.

Sasha takes a deep breath, rubbing a hand down his face as if trying to keep himself from losing control. Nikolaï notices too, stepping forward.

“Sasha…” he starts, but everything happens too fast.

Sienna lets out a startled yelp as she’s suddenly hoisted over Sasha’s shoulder, and he storms down the hallway toward his room.

“Sienna !” I scream, rushing after them but Nikolai stops me by passing me and grabbing his brother's shoulder.

“Sasha, what the hell are you doing ?” he asks, his jaw tense as my sister keeps fidgeting and swearing into his brother’s shoulder.

"Don't get involved Niko, I know what I'm doing. Like you said yourself, you take care of yours and I'll take care of mine" he says as he frees himself from his brother's hold before heading down the hallway.

I call my sister again and try to follow her, but Nikolaï steps in front of me, catching my arm.

“Let me go !” I growl, trying to yank my arm free, but he doesn’t budge.

“Calm down, Selina. My brother would never hurt your sister,” he says, his eyes steady on mine.

“I don’t believe you, not after how he just dragged her away,” I snap, anger boiling inside me.

I don’t care that this family has helped us. If they dare hurt my sister, I’ll rip their hearts out myself.

“Listen to me, Selina. I know my brother. He would never harm an innocent woman. The best thing to do now is get some dry clothes for your sister, and then we’ll check on them together in a few minutes, alright? Let them talk.”

I glare at him, my lips pressed into a thin line.

“I’m trusting you. But if he does anything to her, you’ll be the first one I kill,” I say before turning and heading up the stairs to get Sienna some clothes.

Nikolaï