Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Alek has an automatic rifle harnessed over his chest and is wearing a two-gun leather holster similar to Ghost’s. His shirt is see-through since the waves they sped through drenched it, meaning every perfect line of our daughter’s feet is displayed in glorious detail.
As he orders the men to hand out bottles of water and blankets to the women mingling around who are looking a little lost, he scans the port, taking note of how much attention my race down the dock awarded us. There are more armed men on the dock than the ship, and they look prepped for battle but, for some reason, aren’t storming us.
“Let’s get out a couple of miles before he changes the rules.” Alek’s deep timber waivers at the end of his command when he spots me huddled against a rusty shipping container. “драгоценный.”
With my pain forgotten, I scramble to my feet and sprint for him. I crash into him so hard and fast the wind is knocked out of my lungs, but I hold on for dear life, refusing to let him go for anything. I won’t even let him check me as he pleads multiple times to do.
I knew he would come.
I just knew it.
As the ship slowly departs the port, dragging us away from men I’m certain are part of Henry’s crew, the Bobrov flag is lowered before it is replaced with a not-so-Russian one. It is a huge step for Ghost to take but one in the right direction.
As is his command for the women once held captive. “There are cabins on the port side of the ship. Pick one. Once the sun goes down, we will commence charters to land. If you wish to leave, you will not be stopped.” He shifts his focus to me for barely a second before he tells Alek he needs to check if Kliment has unearthed Katie’s proposed destination.
Alek nods before tugging me in closer. “We’ll join you soon.”
Ghost’s fresh scars shimmer in the low-hanging sun when he shakes his head. “You’re not needed there yet.” His stare tells Alek what his mouth won’t speak. Ana needs you more.
Alek’s relieved sigh exposes this, not to mention how he hugs me tighter. His heart is racing a million miles an hour, and I don’t think it is solely my shudders jutting into his impressive frame. He’s a little shaky too.
“Your medication—”
“Already taken.” He doesn’t sound pleased that I’m more worried about him than myself, but he’ll have to deal with it. I always knew he was coming for me. I just had to give him time.
We stand motionless for several long minutes. Alek tries multiple times to inch back, but I refuse to let him go. I don’t even loosen my grip when Yev joins us on the upper deck. His smile is massive, and the adrenaline pumping through his veins makes his eyes the blackest I’ve seen them, but his euphoria slowly tapers when his numerous wordless requests for me to update him on his brother’s whereabouts have my expression changing from relieved to remorseful.
When I shake my head, too guilt-ridden to speak the words out loud, Yev takes a step back. “Where the fuck is he, Ana?” A salty blob threatens to leak from my eye when he murmurs out, “No. Fuck, no. He was—”
He stops talking when Ghost and a man I haven’t met before return to the top deck to teach us that Kirill doesn’t dump evidence overboard. He likes to brag far too much to let a murder go by without fanfare.
“I found him in my office,” Ghost mutters, his tone full of silent apologies as he locks eyes with Yev.
“No…” Yev mutters again when Ghost unzips the bag, and the tuft of dark hair he always gave Feo shit about pops out first.
When he falls to his knees next to his brother, his face a wash of devastation, I bury my head into Alek’s pecs. I’m not a crier. Excluding the occasional sneaky tears when my emotions are being overrun by hormones, I never cry, but this may very well break me. Feo is dead because of me, and Yev, my only friend, may never forgive me.
“Hey,” Alek says, drawing me back so he can lock his eyes with mine. “This isn’t your fault.”
“It is. I…” I take a moment to regain my sea legs before trying again. “I…” Nope, sea legs aren’t the issue. It is the amount of blood I’m losing. My panties and the inner material of my pants are soaked through, and there is a puddle of blood under my shoeless feet.
I thought I was feeling extra warm because I was wrapped in Alek’s arms. It isn’t the first stupid assumption I’ve made, but it could be the last.
“Ana,” Alek roars a second before everything goes black.