Page 7 of Captive Union
Once the tears stop and I stand up, I instantly feel better, more alert, ready to enact my plan tonight.
I place my hand on my mother and sister’s coffins before saying goodbye and going home.
My home is way out in the suburbs in an old Victorian mansion. It’s a little on the nose, but I love how creaky and creepy it is. I bought it a year after my father’s death after I built my financial situation back up. I was at the height of my anger, and it felt good to live in a place that felt devoid of life. Now, I’ve gotten used to it and am proud to call it my home.
It’s where Kira will live after I take her tonight. She will become my bride and be bound to me, forever lost to her family.
The key is that I have to make sure I take her.
The plan is to cause as much commotion as possible at the party tonight. My spies have been keeping watch and reported that she’s on her way to the party. They’ll keep me updated as to her whereabouts, so I can make sure to grab her as soon as possible. While Maxim and Alexei are busy fending off attacks and bullets, I’ll grab their sister, and they’ll be none the wiser.
That is, if everything goes according to plan. It better fucking go according to plan. I’ve spent the past year detailing this. Everything has to be perfect.
I won’t rest until it is.
I slip on my dark suit, sometimes black, sometimes navy blue, depending on the light. I’m going to be a force tonight, one I don’t want anyone to forget.
I look myself over in the mirror. I look good. I need to put my best foot forward if I’m going to take Kira Petrov for myself tonight. My plan is to marry her soon after. I’ll belong to the family then.
I chuckle darkly at the thought as I straighten my tie.
Off to the party, I go.
CHAPTER3
Kira
Right before the gunshots, there’s this stillness in the air as I hold my breath and wonder what the commotion is near the doors. When the first piercing sound echoes through the room, all I can do is freeze.
Another gunshot sounds off, then another and another. People start screaming, and the crowd around the doors disperses to reveal a group of men entering the party, all in black and toting guns.
All I can do is watch as they descend into the party, pushing people out of the way, even shooting some in the process. The person next to me—an older man I’ve seen around parties who worked for my father for years—is shot point blank in the head, his blood splattering and landing on my face. I blink, so stunned I can’t move.
Once it registers that I have someone else’s blood on me, I finally snap out of my shock. I can’t even get a scream out before someone slams into me and shoves me to the ground. I land with a hard thud, glancing up to see people running in all directions to get away from the gun-carrying men. Someone steps on my hand as they run past me, and I gasp, clutching my hand close. I attempt to stand up when I’m pushed back down again. Someone runs across my back, knocking the air right out of me.
“Help,” I whisper, hoping one of my brothers will come and save me. I’ve never felt more alone than in this sea full of screaming people who keep trampling me. I get my arms under me and push up, only for someone to knock my head as they run past, making me collapse back down. “Help. Someone, please help.” My voice is straining to come out, but I know it’s only traveling a couple of feet in front of me.
More gunshots fire off, and the screaming gets louder.
Where’s Maxim? Why isn’t he here to protect me? He’s done so my entire life, but now, when I’m scared I might die, I can’t see him at all.
I curl into a ball, hoping no one else will step on me and that these intruders will just magically leave me alone. I’ve never seen this kind of chaos before, seeing as I was kept in my home for most of my life. Good mafia girls never see much action—that’s what makes us good. I’ve never been taught to defend myself. I’m complete and utterly helpless.
I jerk when someone grabs my arm, pulling me up, and I sag in relief when I see it’s Maxim.
“Are you hurt?” he shouts. I glance around him to see Arina clinging to the backside of his jacket.
I shake my head.
“Good. Come on.” He pushes me behind him. Arina wraps her arms around me, and I cling to her in return.
“Oh, my god,” Arina whimpers as another gunshot goes off. “Who are these people?”
Maxim pulls us to the bar, pushing past the swarms of people. I see Alexei and Ana coming in our direction. Maxim gets us behind the bar, where a ton of people are already hiding, Elena and my mother included.
“Stay here,” he orders Arina and me. I see Nik run up to him, motioning for his attention. “I’m going to deal with this.” He cups Arina’s cheek. “Please be safe.”
“I promise,” she replies. They look deeply into each other’s eyes before Maxim turns away, waving at Nik to follow. Alexei gets Ana behind the bar before following the rest of the men.
