Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
My stomach sinks to the deepest pit of hell, and I nod before saying, “Thank you for everything. It was an honor training here.”
Turning around, my feet feel like lead as I walk back to Alek and Armani.
I’ll tell Viktor it was all me. I’ll take the fall.
I find my friends still in the foyer. Armani’s leaning against a wall, and Alek is pacing up and down. Both their eyes snap toward me.
There’s no way to soften the blow, so I just spit it out. “Viktor is on his way to St. Monarch’s. He’ll be here tomorrow morning.”
“Iisus Khristos,” Alek shouts, then he runs toward the stairs.
“Where are you going?” I call after him.
“To fucking call my family and say goodbye.”
Taking a deep breath, I turn my gaze to Armani. “I’ll handle things tomorrow. Do your best to keep Alek quiet. I’ll take the fall.”
He shakes his head. “We’re in this mess together.”
I walk to my friend, and grabbing him by the shoulders, I lock eyes with him. “I need you to stay alive. You have to take care of Tiana. You’re the only man I trust with her. Please, brother.”
We stare at each other for a long moment before Armani nods.
Feeling a flicker of relief, I ask, “You’ll marry her?”
He nods again. “I will.”
“Give her the life she’s always wanted, Armani. It’s the only thing I want. I need to know my sister is with a good man.”
“I’ll take care of her.” His voice breaks, and after clearing his throat, he adds, “I’ll keep an eye on Aurora as well.”
I let go of Armani and suck in a sharp breath as the blow hits.
There’s a good chance I’ll die tomorrow.
How the fuck do I tell Aurora that?
“Go to Alek, and don’t tell the girls anything. I don’t want Aurora to worry until it happens,” I mutter, the sword of my impending death hanging heavy over my head.
Armani gives my shoulder a squeeze before he heads up the stairs.
Stepping out of the front doors, and seeing one of the guards on a smoke break, I walk closer and ask, “Do you have a spare?”
“Sure.”
He hands it to me, and after I’ve lit it, I take a deep drag and glance up at the clear blue sky.
We smoke in silence, and when the guard’s done, he gives me a chin lift and returns to his post.
The only thing I can hope for now is a quick death. A bullet to the head.
At least I got to love Aurora.
I’ve lived long enough to see Tiana grow into a beautiful woman.
“Misha?”
When I glance over my shoulder, it’s to see Aurora come down the steps.
“How’s Abbie?” I ask as I flick the cigarette into a bush.
“She’s okay. Still a little shocked.” Her eyes search my face. “Where are Alek and Armani?”
I nod toward the castle. “Their suites.”
Her eyes scan over my face again. “How are you?”
I’m not doing too well, moy malen'kiy olen'.
“I’m okay,” I lie. Closing the distance between us, I wrap her in my arms. “I’m okay.”
“You don’t sound okay,” she whispers as her hand moves up and down my back in a comforting touch.
“I’m just coming down from the high of the attack. Don’t worry about me.”
You’re a strong woman. You’ll be fine without me.
She pulls back, and framing my jaw with her palms, she says, “Thank you for protecting us.”
I nod, and leaning down, I press a tender kiss to her mouth. When I pull back, I murmur, “I love you, Aurora.”
The corner of her mouth curves up. “I love you too.”
Be happy and live a full life for the both of us.
Taking her hand, I tug her back into the castle.
“Do you want to get something to eat?” she asks.
I shake my head as I head toward the staircase. “No. I want to be alone with you.”
A smile graces her lips, and she leans into me as we climb the stairs. I take her to my suite, not wanting Abbie to interrupt us.
After I shut the door behind us, I lead Aurora to my bedroom.
When I take hold of her silk blouse and tug it over her head, she chuckles, “Okay then, food can wait.”
“I’m only hungry for you,” I say, the heavy load on my shoulders straining my voice.
Aurora places her hands on my jaw, then gives me a worried look. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Just coming down from the high of action. I need you.”
The corner of her mouth lifts in a loving smile. “I’m yours.”
Lifting a hand, I brush the strands out of her face. I stare deep into her emerald eyes, and emotion wells in my chest.
“I love you, Aurora. So fucking much.” I can feel tears pricking behind my eyes and force them back. “I’ll love you all of my life. Until my dying breath, and then I’ll find a way to love you in the afterlife.”