Page 91 of Deceptive Vows
He nodded and gritted his teeth as I helped him to his feet. “That was... impressive,” he murmured, his gaze never leaving my face.
Elena emerged from hiding, supporting Alexa. Her eyes flicked to Marco’s corpse, then to me with a mixture of awe and gratitude. The other women followed cautiously, hope beginning to replace fear in their expressions.
Gunfire still echoed through distant corridors as my brothers fought to secure our escape.
“We have to go.” I turned to the women. “North exit—now.”
Elena rallied them, guiding Alexa who swayed but moved forward. I cast one final glance at Marco’s body, grim satisfaction settling in my chest.For Gianna. For all thewomen he’d hurt.
“What about your brothers?” Elena asked as we hurried down the corridor.
“They’ll find us,” I assured her with more confidence than I felt. “They know where to meet us.”
As we approached the north exit, gunfire erupted nearby. I pushed the women behind a concrete pillar while Nazar braced against the wall, weapon raised despite his injury. Moments later, Dimitris appeared, firing methodically at unseen pursuers.
“Marco?” he asked between shots, glancing over his shoulder.
“Dead,” I answered.
Dimitris’s eyebrows rose, then a satisfied grin spread across his face. “Good.” He fired once more down the hallway. “Lucas and Lex secured the vehicles. We need to get out of here—now.”
“The Wolves?” Nazar’s voice was becoming more strained.
“The ones who aren’t dead, ditched,” Dimitris replied.
“Good,” I said. “We have nine women to get to safety.”
Dimitris nodded, moving to help the women. “Exit’s clear. Let’s go.”
Nazar’s hand found mine. I tightened my grip, steadying him as we moved forward. The blood and chaos fell away, leaving only the steady anchor of his hand in mine.
“Together,” he said, voice faint but firm.
“Together,” I echoed, our rings pressing between our palms—forged in fire, sealed in blood.
As we guided the women toward the exit where my brothers waited, the weight of the past hours settled over me. I’d lost Nazar, found him, and killed the man who murdered my sister. It wasn’t the end—just a turning point. Gabriele still remained.
But for now, I could breathe. Nazar was alive. The women were safe. For now, we were alive. And that was enough.
Chapter Thirty-Three
NAZAR
This time,a soft floral scent cut through the antiseptic air. Not just hospital disinfectant—Thea. The room was bathed in soft light. With the blinds drawn, I couldn’t tell if it was dawn or dusk, but I was eternally grateful that I got to experience either one.
In addition to the bandages wrapped tightly around my ribs, Thea’s arm was draped across my waist. Her face rested against my shoulder, tilted up like she’d been watching me before sleep took her.
A thin, slightly puffy scratch ran from her left cheek to her chin.I suspected it would heal and leave her face unmarred. Even if it didn’t, I wouldn’t care. I just hated that she’d been hurt.
Her eyes fluttered open, a slow smile spreading on her lips. “Hi.”
For a moment, I just stared at her. Beautiful, delicate, graceful, and lethal. She’d stepped in front of me and saved my life.
“Hello.” My dry throat made the salutation come out like a croak.
She lifted on her elbow. “Let me get you some fresh?—”
Before she could finish the sentence, I took her by the chin and brought her lips to mine. “Nyet. I just want you.”
