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)
“Oh, baby,” she whispers as a tear spirals down her cheek. “I feel the same way about you.”
I take my time undressing her, kissing every inch of her skin. When I have her naked, I say, “Lie down on the bed, Krasivaya.”
I watch as she climbs onto the mattress while I strip out of my clothes.
For a moment, I stare at the vision lying on my bed, praying I can take the image of her with me wherever I’ll go after I’m dead.
Crawling over Aurora’s body, I lie down on top of her and rest my forearms on either side of her head. There’s no foreplay, my need to be inside her too strong to ignore.
As I push deep inside the woman of my dreams, I keep my eyes locked with hers.
Thank you for this, moy malen'kiy olen'. For the short time I got to love you, I felt like the luckiest bastard alive.
Lying still while buried inside her, I almost break down. Somehow, I get the strength not to crumble, and pulling out, I thrust back inside her.
My pace is slow, savoring every second I get to be with her like this.
“Misha,” Aurora whispers. Her eyebrows draw together, and her eyes shine with unshed tears. “Why does this feel like a goodbye?”
Because it is.
I can’t even shake my head and instead press my mouth to hers, kissing her as if she has the power to transcend time. As if she has the power to stop my impending death.
I didn’t believe in fate until I laid eyes on Aurora. I would’ve bled myself dry to be everything she needed, to get a chance to grow old with her.
Christ, there were many times I faced off with death and walked away. But this time, there’s no escaping death. You don’t disobey an order from Viktor and get away with it.
I won’t get to see this angel on her wedding day. I won’t hear the words ‘I do’ from her.
I won’t watch her carry our child.
I won’t see lines form on her face as we grow old together.
Pushing my arms beneath her, I hold her so tight she lets out a groan. But she doesn’t complain.
Instead, she hugs me to her as I slowly make love to her, pouring my devotion to her out in every kiss and thrust.
Don’t forget me because, after tomorrow, your memories will be one of the few places I’ll exist.
I’ll miss you, moy malen'kiy olen'. So fucking much.
Chapter 32
Misha
“We’re fucked,” Alek says as we watch Viktor climb out of an armored G-Wagon.
“Yep,” Armani agrees.
The head of the bratva straightens his suit jacket, then he glances around him before taking the steps up to the front doors.
I should’ve called Tiana and told her I love her.
“We’re fucking fucked,” Alek says again, but this time worry laces his words.
“Let me talk to Viktor. I’ll take the fall,” I say, wanting to keep my friends out of this. Not able to hide in my suite, I mutter, “Let’s get this over with.”
Leaving the room, I feel like a man on death row.
This is it.
This is how it feels to have minutes left.
The color drains out of the world, and the light fades as shadows creep in – as if death is already reaching for me.
When we turn up the hallway where Director Koslov’s office is, I stop and glance at Armani and Alek.
“Thank you.”
Alek shakes his head while Armani keeps his eyes on me.
“Thank you for being the best fucking brothers a man can ask for.”
“Shut up,” Alek hisses through clenched teeth, sorrow tightening his features. “You’re not dying today.”
“Armani, drag him out of the office if you have to,” I mutter, then I walk toward my chamber of death.
When I step inside the room, I hear Armani and Alek right behind me. My eyes lock on Viktor, who’s standing by Director Koslov’s desk with his back toward us.
He takes a deep breath, and letting out a sigh, he turns to face us. For a long while, he just stares, then he shakes his head.
“I had to leave my pregnant wife because you decided to disobey a direct order from me.”
I don’t move. I don’t nod, and I certainly don’t dare say anything.
Viktor pulls his weapon out from where it’s tucked into the back of his suit pants. “Christ, I had high hopes for the three of you.”
I love you, Aurora.
Viktor looks down at the floor, and I watch as he thinks, then he says, “Who’s going to take the bullet meant for Abigail Sartori?”
Before I can react, Alek steps forward. “I will.”
I grab Alek’s arm and yank him back. “No! I will.”
As Alek’s lips part, Armani grabs him in a tight hold and starts to wrestle him toward the door.
I keep my eyes on Viktor as I bite the words out. “I will take the bullet.”