Page 55 of Shadows of the Past
When was the last time you made her laugh like that, you idiot?
I ignore these thoughts that only fuel my anger. I'm only here to ensure she's safe. That nothing happens to her.
The only good thing is that Ivan's health has begun to deteriorate, shifting his attention away from Julia completely.
The last discussion with his doctor led to scheduling surgery for a heart stent. This could be our chance, but until then, I need to get Julia the hell out of here.
Every time I leave on a mission, I worry that Aleksandr will do something to her. The mere thought of him putting his hands on her makes me lose the control I've built over all these years.
I watch Akim maintain his distance from Julia, but I've known him for too many years.
I don't miss how he analyzes that freckled shoulder of hers.
MY freckled shoulder.
What the hell is wrong with me?SHE'S NOT YOURS!
Until she leaves this place, she's mine, and this closeness might raise questions that could jeopardize the entire plan.
That's why I find myself typing out a text to Akim. Not because he's devouring her with his eyes. Not because what I'm feeling is definitely jealousy.
Before I can send the message, I receive an alert from the security system at the northern edge of the property. Someone cut a camera.
The next second, Akim receives the same notification as me, and he knows what it means. Someone is attacking us.
Who the hell would have the nerve to enter our territory?
My phone vibrates, and I already know who it is without looking at the screen.
"I'm on my way," I answer Ivan.
Akim pulls Julia toward the car, and without discussion, he already knows where to meet. We have a plan for situations like this, when we need to regroup.
We both floor our gas pedals, and the one-hour drive takes us each thirty minutes.
When I dismount from my motorcycle and he gets out of the car, Julia looks at us in confusion.
"What the hell is happening?" she asks, and I wish I knew too.
"Ivan is in the bunker with Aleksandr, but the children aren't safe. We need to go get them out of there," I tell them, and they both nod. "Is Zoya at your place?"
"Yes, I texted her right after the notification. She's safe."
I don't know if Julia is ready for a fight, but I'll be right beside her in case something goes wrong.
Akim takes out a gun each for himself and Julia from the SUV while I check the knives I never remove.
From a special compartment on my motorcycle, I pull out three grenades and give one to each of them.
"In case of emergency, blow everything up!"
We take a few steps toward the house, and I don't know what possesses me to turn to those honey-colored eyes and say, "Don't do anything stupid; stay close to us."
I can see she wants to tell me to go to hell right now, but she chooses to swallow her remark when she sees my stone-cold face. I don't know who these people are, but they avoided the cameras, which means someone gave them the house plans. And the way they moved, they're not amateurs. We need to get those damn kids out of there before they become collateral damage or toys for other sick bastards, because I have no certainty that whoever is attacking us will leave them alone.
With each step we take toward the mansion, the sound of gunfire becomes more prominent. Smoke pours from one window, and for a split second, I want to tell Julia to stay hidden until we resolve the situation. But who am I kidding? This woman would punch me and head for those children on her own.
In these two years, she's started secretly taking care of them, and when Akim or I can't bring creams, pills, or food, she goes to them and helps.
