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)
“If neither happens within the next three months, I’ll take your and Mikhail’s lives. There won’t be a second chance.”
Aurora gasps as she grabs hold of my hand. She blinks for a moment as she processes the words.
“I wonder, Miss D’Angelo. Who would you choose if I held a gun to Mikhail’s head?”
She doesn’t hesitate as she answers, “I choose Misha.” Her voice cracks over the words. “I’ll always choose Misha.”
The corner of Viktor’s mouth lifts. “I’m glad to hear that.” He turns toward the front doors of the castle, then pauses. “I look forward to your wedding.”
When Viktor walks out of the door, Aurora glances up at me. “Wedding?”
Letting out a heavy breath, I tug her into my embrace and hold her tightly to my chest. “Yeah, a lot has happened since the attack yesterday.”
“Is that why you were so worried? Because Viktor was coming today?”
I nod as I inhale her scent. “Yes, but we’ll talk about it later. I need to get a clean shirt for Alek. Viktor shot him.”
Aurora pulls back, frowning up at me with shock. “What?”
“I just need to check in on Alek, then I’ll tell you everything.”
“Ah…okay.”
When I take a step toward the stairs, Aurora grabs my hand. “I’m coming with you.”
“You were on your way to meet Abbie,” I remind her.
“She’ll understand if I don’t join her for brunch. You’re more important.”
Her words act as a soothing balm for my heart that’s been put through the wringer the past twenty-four hours.
Lifting my other hand, I take hold of her chin and kiss the living hell out of her.
I get another chance to love this woman.
Thank God and all that’s holy.
Chapter 33
Aurora
After we’ve grabbed a shirt for Alek, we head to the infirmary.
Abbie comes out of the dining hall just as we turn into the hallway and rushes to catch up with us.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“We’re taking a clean shirt to Alek,” I explain.
“He was shot in the shoulder,” Misha says, his eyes flicking to Abbie with an angry look. “He took a bullet for you.”
My head snaps to Misha, my mouth dropping open.
“He did what? Why?” Abbie gasps, a similar shocked expression on her face.
Just as we reach the doorway to the infirmary, Misha says, “You were supposed to die yesterday, and we stopped it. One of us had to take the bullet meant for you, and it was Alek.”
“Jesus,” she breathes before darting into the infirmary.
“Get her the fuck out of my sight,” I hear Alek shout.
We rush in after Abbie, but it’s too late.
Alek’s sitting on the side of a bed while a doctor digs the bullet out of his arm. The sight of his blood makes my stomach churn.
“Abbie,” I call out, but she wraps her arms around Alek’s neck and hugs him.
“I’m so sorry,” she cries. “Thank you.”
Alek shuts his eyes, and his tone is low and dangerous as he hisses, “Get the fuck off me.”
With a shove from Alek, Abbie staggers backward.
He looks her dead in the eye, then growl, “I took the bullet for Misha. The first opportunity I get, I will take the hit on you myself. You’re a fucking danger to us all.”
“Alek,” I whisper, scared at the hatred in his eyes.
“Abbie, it’s best you leave,” Misha orders.
Worry and guilt tighten my friend’s features, and she hesitates for a moment. “You got shot because of me, and I’m really sorry that happened.” Her voice cracks over the words. She shakes her head, her features crumbling from the cruel situation we find ourselves in. “I…” She shakes her head again, then locks eyes with Alek. “I never asked for any of this. I hate that I’m being held responsible for what my father does and doesn’t do.”
Tears escape her eyes, and it has me walking to her. I wrap my arm around Abbie as she gives Alek a pleading look. “When you decide to take my life, just do it quickly. I don’t want to see it coming.”
“He’s not going to kill you,” Armani says as he steps forward. “Just give us some time to gather our thoughts. It’s been a rough couple of hours.”
Abbie nods, and as she turns around, she looks at Misha. “I’m really sorry.”
He nods at her. “I know. I’ll take care of everything.”
I go to him and give him a hug. “When you have time later, we can talk. I’m going to give you some space.”
“I don’t want space from you,” he mutters.
“I’ll be okay, Ra-Ra,” Abbie says. “Stay.”
I feel torn as Abbie walks out of the infirmary, but I have to stand by Misha’s side.
Somewhere during the past week, he’s become the most important person in my life. He’s my priority now.
Misha wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to his side. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, then keeps still as he takes a deep breath of my scent.