Page 99 of Shadows of the Past
But even I can hear the pride and respect in his voice. You don’t have to spend much time around these guys to realize they’re a team. And for a second, I find myself wanting to be part of it, too.
Come on, Maksim. Save the sentimentality for later.
An Irish soldier stiffens, sensing Damien’s approach, but before he can react, the Polish mob boss steps up behind him, raises his pistol, and puts a bullet right through the back of his head.
It’s not the violence that makes me wonder what asylum Roman found this guy in. It’s the way Damien crouches by the corpse, pulls out a blade, and turns the man’s head as he whispers, “You would’ve made a fine specimen for skinning, but I’m saving myself for your boss.”
Roman signals that three more soldiers incoming. Damien’s gunfire probably tipped them off. My hands go straight for my backpack.
“Step back,” I warn, then toss a handful of grenades into the factory yard.
The next moments are pure chaos, with smoke, dust, and screams all around. The three of us spot the entrance; the door’s blown off its hinges. Maybe I didn’t need to throw all six grenades, but I wanted to make sure nothing was left standing.
Roman bolts inside and I’m right behind him. Luna’s there, gun trained on the guy who’d been carrying her. Behind her, another soldier looks ready to pounce, but Roman lifts his pistol and drops him with a shot to the forehead.
Her friend’s got blood at the corner of her mouth, and when I glance at Devin, the Irish boss, I notice his groin’s a mess. I can’t help but grin. Hell, this woman would scare even my guys, and they’ve seen combat and loss.
?
Once the factory’s cleared and Niko arrives with backup, Luna asks me to take Roxy home.
She sits with her eyes closed, slumped in the passenger seat, and I can’t help but wonder about her story. What she did back there isn’t something just anyone could do. It takes a special kind of madness, born from some real messed up experiences.
“I can feel you staring,” she murmurs.
“What you did back there…that was impressive,” I admit, feeling my cheeks flush. I’m not easily intimidated, but small talk isn’t my strong suit.
For a second, I think she’s fallen asleep, but then she opens her eyes and stares straight ahead.
“I just did what anyone would do in my place.”
It bothers me that she thinks she’s so ordinary, that she doesn’t realize how much guts it took to bite off the Irish boss’s dick with his men all around. From what Luna told me, she was drugged the whole time she was trapped with her ex.
“You’re smarter than that, Roxy. Don’t sell yourself short. Most people would have frozen or just accepted their fate. Sometimes the hardest thing is to dive headfirst into the chaos and fight even when the easy way out is staring you in the face.”
She swallows and fidgets with her dress, silent for the rest of the drive.
When we get to her apartment, I walk her up and wait as she unlocks the door. She gives me one last look and says, “Thank you, Maksim.”
It doesn’t sound like she’s just thanking me for the ride, but before I can reply, she closes the door.
I realize I need a break after the last hour’s adrenaline rush, so I head home where I know Julia’s waiting, dying to hear what the hell just happened.
At the airport, I motioned for her to take the other car home. As much as her machine gun always comes in handy, I’m not about to gamble with her life, not for Luna, not for Roman, not even if the fate of the world depended on it.
The ground is damp beneath my boots, and the air is thick with the scent of pine and fir. That’s part of why I picked this place. The house is wrapped in a forest of evergreens, and after a rain, the whole world smells like freedom and comfort.
“I’m out of nails to bite, Maksim! How can you ask me to stay behind when I know you’re about to go up against the Irish mob?” Julia’s voice cuts through the quiet.
I knew she’d be upset. Still, I can’t help but smile; she’s adorable when she’s like this. Her eyes darken, turning the color of melted caramel, and her cheeks flush even redder than usual, making her freckles stand out.
“Luna’s safe. Roman’s safe. I’m fine.” I close the distance and kiss her.
There’s still a flicker of worry in her eyes, and I wish I could just pull it away with my hands, but that’s Julia, always carrying everyone else’s burdens.
“Any word on Aleksandr?” Her voice trembles just a bit, like she’s waiting for a bomb to drop.
“We’ve got eyes everywhere. The second he pokes his head out of whatever hole he’s hiding in, we’ll know.”
