Page 87 of Merciless Union
I hang up, turning to Nik. “Arina’s in trouble. Stepan showed up at her father’s house. I need to go.”
Nik sits up. “I’m coming with you.” He groans as he gets out of the bed.
“No. At this point, you’re just a liability. I don’t have time to waste. My wife needs me.”
I leave Nik standing there as I leave the hospital, rushing to my car. I grip the steering wheel so fucking tight as I leave the city behind. It’s a struggle to drive fast with the slick, ice-covered roads. My frustration and worry build up. I wonder when it will spill out of me, Hopefully in front of Stepan when I shoot him in the fucking head.
The fear in Arina’s voice makes me so angry. She should never have to feel that away. And yet, I just let her waltz off to her father’s house without more protection, all because I was trying to keep my distance.
And now she might die for my mistake.
I should have been honest with her about the reason why I hated the painting. I should never have pushed her away.
She is my weakness, whether I like it or not.
And now she’s in danger and I have to save her. I have to do right by her.
I arrive at George’s house a little under an hour later. Fuck, I hope Arina managed to hide in that time. I don’t dare risk calling her in case Stepan is still around and hears it.
The house is eerily silent out front as I run up the driveway, almost slipping on a patch of ice. I catch myself on the porch railing. I run up to the door, my feet slipping on something else.
I look down. My guard, Jack, on the ground, dead.
“Shit.”
The front door is open slightly. I pull my gun out and go inside, keeping my steps light.
An arm swings out and hits my arm. I almost drop the gun but manage to hold on. I spin around.
Two of my men – Denis and Arseny – are standing there, their own guns pointed at me.
I huff. “I see who’s side you two chose.”
“Yes, the right side.” Stepan’s voice comes out from behind me.
I turn so I’m facing all the men. I’m not about to leave my back exposed. There’s no way I’m fucking dying today. Not when Arina is in danger.
“So, I see you showed.” Stepan nods, smiling indulgently. “I wondered when you were.”
“I just came here to kill you and end all of this shit for good.”
Stepan smiles. “Mmm. That will be tough, seeing as it’s three against one.”
I shrug. “I’ve had worser odds.” I turn and shoot Denis in the arm. He cries out as he drops his gun. I roll over the couch behind me, using it as protection as Stepan and Arseny take shots at me.
I scramble over the living room floor.
“You’re not going to win today,” Stepan says.
“I doubt that.” I aim my gun at him and shoot. The bullet grazes his head, making him cry out and flinch away.
“You can’t win, Maxim,” Stepan taunts. “Seeing as I already have your wife.”
His words send a chill over me.
I crawl until I enter the dining room, putting a wall between me and Stepan and Arseny. I can still hear Denis sniffling. Pussy. Can’t even take a bullet to the arm without crying.
A gun shot rings out.
