Those three blocks were some of the longest blocks I had ever walked in my life. I thought we would never get to the car, especially when we had to duck into a shadowed business front when we were on the last block, police cars speeding past us on the streets. Arriving at the darkened alley, I never thought I would see anything more beautiful than that damn car.
Zane was putting Grigori in the back, and he barked, “Put him in the very back, Daniil. You’re driving.” He thumped the keys on the hood and got into the back with Grigori, and only then did it occur to me that he must be badly injured for Zane to order Daniil around, keeping him from his son.
My legs about gave out as I lowered into the passenger’s seat. I slammed the door, cracking my neck. Daniil grabbed the keys and dove into the car after opening the hatch to put Kirill in the back.
Daniil started the car, and turned to Zane, seeing him sitting on top of all our bags with Grigori lying over his lap as he ripped his top off him. There was blood pouring from a chest wound, and I swallowed hard. “He needs a doctor.” His tone was calm and smooth, not ruffled and distraught seeing his son bleeding out. “Keep him alive until I get us there.”
“Fuck,” Zane muttered harshly, examining the wound. He talked to himself as our car reversed at breakneck speed from the alley. “Not near the heart, but the bullet didn’t exit. I can feel it stuck in his rib cage.”
My phone kept buzzing in my pocket, and I heard Grigori’s and Kirill’s buzzing in their pockets as well. I didn’t even need to look. I knew it was Ember. That woman had an uncanny knack for knowing when Grigori was in trouble.
Seven minutes after we left the alley, we came to a stop outside a red duplex. My heart was hammering, and I seriously wanted to throw my fucking cell out the window. If Grigori died—possibly from blood loss at this point—I wasn’t sure I could ever show my face to Ember again. I would owe her for the rest of my life. That’s how much I knew she loved the bastard.
Two men rushed down the duplex stairs, and unbelievably, through it all, Zane ripped the wig off Grigori’s head and tossed it in the front seat, apparently preserving Grigori’s man status even though he was bleeding out. The two unknowns opened the back door, and Kirill suddenly sat up, shouting in pain and holding his head. They stared at him like he was a wild creature.
Daniil shouted, “That one is fine for now.” He jumped out of the car and opened the door where Grigori was. “My son needs immediate attention.” He raised a gun with a silencer aimed at their heads. He stated calmly, even as he repeatedly blinked, “Understand?”
I peered out the window, watching silently.
Both nodded their heads, mumbling together, “Yes, sir.”
“Good.” Daniil stepped back from the car, motioning to it with his gun. “Hurry the fuck up and get him inside.”
The two lifted Grigori out of the car, and the four of us followed with Zane and me on either side of Kirill since he wasn’t exactly steady on his feet. He had taken his shirt off—the woman’s shirt with fake tits—and was bare-chested as we hurried him through the front door. There was a long, thin hallway that went straight back along with a staircase leading upstairs where I could hear a lot of banging happening on the second floor. They had taken Grigori up there. To the right, there was a living room and an older man with a cane gestured for us to go in there.
We did, sitting down on a flat, timeworn yellow couch. Cane Man sat down in a chair next to the yellow eyesore, staring at us. He didn’t say anything but nodded to Daniil, who nodded back before dropping his head in his hands, staring at the floor. Instantly, I wrapped my arms around his stomach, and I felt myself start to shake just as much as my phone was doing in my pocket.
I choked, and I hated it, but I started to cry.
Daniil jerked against me when my tears hit his heated skin, and I was suddenly enfolded in his embrace. He held me tight and kept kissing my forehead as I clung to him. He held me as I shed relieved tears—my body shaking as adrenaline and shock left my system, crooning in a soft whisper, his voice keeping me grounded.
Zane was the only one who answered his cell while we sat for half the night, only using four worded answers each time Ember called, and then hanging up—the same thing repeated each time. Those words were: He’s still in surgery. ‘Surgery’ was a large jump for the place we were in, but Ember stopped calling Kirill and me, and focused all her energy on Zane.
Three hours later, Cane Man looked away from us, gazing outside the room’s entrance. I couldn’t see what he was looking at, but he glanced back, gesturing with his cane for us to go into the hallway. No one had come in to talk to us, or offer a drink, or even turn on the television. It had been silent except for the banging upstairs.
I think we all about passed out when we exited the room into the thin hallway and saw Grigori propping a wall up, looking haggard with a face that was almost as white as the huge bandage around his chest. The two men who had taken him inside had blood all over their hands and forearms but were standing next to him scowling. Grigori immediately stiffened at their expressions, and his face went even whiter with the movement. Right before his lids lowered, he threw up.
I had seen a lot of blood and guts in the past week, but there’s just something about seeing someone puke right in front of you. It was never a pleasant experience. It was like seeing someone yawn—it kind of sucks you in and makes you want to do the same. I swallowed hard and held my breath, keeping my eyes firmly away from his spew.
The bloody helpers had glanced at Daniil when we came to a dead stop, gripping Grigori by his shoulders as he heaved onto the cracked tiles. One of them starting speaking harshly and speedily in Russian, and I had to listen closely to catch it all. “Stubborn man won’t stay. Won’t take the drugs. He wants to leave.”
“What have you done for him?” Daniil asked slowly in English, studying Grigori.
The same man continued speaking, but also answering in English, “We’ve removed the bullet, and since we already knew his blood type, we were able to give him blood.” It was long past apparent that the Kozar family had used their services before. “We’ve cleaned and stitched up his wound, but he’s got two cracked ribs. His right ankle is also banged up prettily badly, but it isn’t broken. He needs rest and pain medication before he leaves.”
Grigori gasped, rasping, “I’m leaving, dammit.”
“Take the drugs,” Daniil stated calmly, walking over to him and helping him stand straight. “We’ll go if you take the drugs.”
Grigori eventually nodded. “Fine. Just get me home.” He barely made it to the car without falling down the stairs.
I mumbled under my breath, “Grigori, you are ridiculous. You should have stayed there.”
He snorted, his dad helping him into the car. “Ember would have been too worried. Plus, she’s supposed to be at her most fertile in two days.”
I stared. “You aren’t really going to try—”
“Beth, my sweet, get in the car,” Daniil growled, his worry finally seeping through.
I nodded. I guess now wasn’t the time.
Zane drove this time.
Daniil and I sat in the back seat, and Kirill took the passenger’s seat.
Grigori was sprawled on the middle seat, already passed out again.
I stared at the night sky through the window, and instantly, the weight that had plagued me lifted off my shoulders. I murmured quietly, “It’s done. Those bastards can’t hurt us again.”
“That family is done.” Daniil pulled me closer against his side. He tilted his head to look me in the eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want to know where I ended up putting—”
“No,” I cut him off. “I don’t want to know where Katie is. I trust you.”
He kissed the tip of my nose and hesitated. Then, he lifted a ring in front of my face.
My mouth dropped open. “You are not doing that right now, Daniil.”
Kirill glanced back, his eyes shot wide open, and then he quickly t
urned back around in his seat. He held perfectly still and turned an ear in our direction. Eavesdropping…in the polite way.
“Why not?” Daniil asked as he rubbed the ring back and forth between his fingers, watching as the diamond sparkled with every passing light we drove by. “We just finished killing off the bad guys. I thought this would be a perfect time.”
My mouth bobbed. “You really are a sick bastard.”
“You say that like it’s a surprise.”
I growled, “I want to hear the words!”
Brown eyes met mine, appearing amused at my grumpy expression. “You’re going to say yes, anyway, so why should I ask?”
“Daniil.”
“It is a valid point, my sweet.”
“Daniil.”
His lips twitched. “Yes, my sweet?”
I crossed my arms and tried a different tactic. “What are you doing?”
Daniil smiled bright enough to light the night. “I’m asking you to marry me, Ms. Forter.”
Instantly, my heart melted to mush, and I fell against his side and rested my head against his shoulder. I lifted up my hand, allowing him to place the engagement ring on my finger. “And I’m saying yes, Mr. Kozar.”
Dr. Wisser kept bumping Daniil with his hip when my husband swayed on the chair he sat on. Medical beeps let him know I was still alive as the doctor cut into my stomach. C-Sections weren’t anything new, but to my loving husband of one week, he found it entirely terrifying.
I would never tell, though. His secret was safe me with.
“Don’t you dare look past that curtain,” I hissed.
Daniil glared down at me and rubbed the sweat off his forehead. His wedding ring glinted in the harsh lighting. Behind his facemask, he muttered, “I want to stay upright. I won’t be looking, my sweet. I promise.”
“Almost there,” Dr. Wisser stated happily. “Are you ready to know what your first born is, Mrs. Kozar?”
My eyes widened in excitement, and the monitors beeped more quickly. “Yes.”
Daniil’s eyes crinkled, and I just knew he was smirking. “I’ve already told you. They’re boys.”
I grinned. “Eva would be thrilled.”
Daniil nodded, more sweat beads glistening on his forehead.
We both waited, ignoring any horrifying sounds filtering past the curtain where the doctor worked on my body. Time ticked by, passing in excruciating slow seconds. I bit my lips and stared into the most perfect brown eyes.
“I love you,” I whispered.
Daniil’s eyes crinkled once more. “I love you too.”
I felt an odd tug on my body from below, and Dr. Wisser chuckled, “Baby one is a boy.”
A tiny cry erupted after his announcement.
My chin trembled, and a tear escaped my right eye.
The medical team inside the room were sectioned off, one for each baby.
One fraction moved into action.
“Oh!” I sniffled, tears freely flowing as they quickly showed us our son before taking care of him. He had the most perfect features. All bitty toes and fingers in place. “He’s perfect.”
Daniil’s voice cracked as he eyed our son. “He looks like me.” His eyes glistened as he followed the team’s movement with our child. “They’re taking good care of him, my sweet.”
I nodded and sniffled hard.
Dr. Wisser snickered once more. “Baby Two is another boy.”
Daniil sat up straighter on his chair, his chest puffing with pride.
I bit my bottom lip, trying not to sob in happiness as I saw our second son. He didn’t cry immediately, but only a few seconds later, I heard his shout of panic facing this world outside of the safety of my body. I laughed and grinned at my husband. “He looks just like you too.”
The sweat had dried on his forehead, and he stated with cocky flair, “Of course, he does.”
Dr. Wisser cleared his throat. “And, baby three is…”
I blinked. “Yes?”
A precious cry erupted loud and strong.
The doctor glanced over the curtain at the two of us, lifting our third child for us to see. “Your husband was right all along. It’s a boy.”
My eyes widened with a flood of joyous tears. “All I’ve dreamt about are having boys since I got pregnant.” I stared at my son a moment longer before turning my attention to my beaming husband. “I can’t agree all the time with you. Even if you’re right.”
Daniil chuckled, “I know, my sweet. I know.”
“What should we name them?”
“Anything you wish.”
I chuckled. “That was easy.”
“Yes, well, I may have peeked past the curtain.”
“Daniil! I told you not to.”
He winked. “And I don’t always agree with you. Even if you’re right.”
I snickered and ran my gaze over his strong body. “You’re mine.”
“You better believe it.” He wiggled his brows, and stated quietly, “And, now, you’re not pregnant anymore.”
I laughed. “Oh. My. God.”
He shrugged his right shoulder. “Seeing someone’s guts has never bothered me.”
I shook my head. “You are so wrong and so right for me.”
“Always, my sweet.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times bestselling author and award-winner, Scarlett Dawn is the author of the Forever Evermore new adult fantasy series, the Mark new adult science fiction saga, and the Lion Security contemporary series.
She lives in the Midwest, adores her music loud, and demands her fries covered in melted cheese.
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"MY WORLD WAS FOREVER CHANGED."
FALL
Thrown head first into a barbaric world she knows nothing of, Braita Valorn must adapt to a dark life as a slave of the Mian society--her existence depends on it.
SINK
Danger lurks, and Braita's lack of knowledge of the planet, Triaz, is now abundantly clear. On a mission to find her best friend, Jax, she must infiltrate the Crank Pit, a brutal complex where Mian enter, only to leave absent a heartbeat.
STOP
Braita Valorn is stuck. She has no real freedom, her existence dependent on what the men of Triaz decide. But she desperately wants it to be, and will do anything to capture it.
RISE
Judgments are made, an archaic stand within Mian laws, and Braita finds herself charged with treason. But never one to sit during a battle, she risks her last chance of release with blackmail.
SOAR
Braita Valorn is a disaster walking. One mistake after another on the planet Triaz has landed her in trouble time and again. Will Braita obtain her freedom? Or will she finally accept a life she never asked for?
One Skeleton Key. Endless Adventures.
Arizona Creed lost her assassin father, and her whole world changed.
Literally.
With one magical skeleton key, Arizona lands in another realm.
Forget Earth. Terlant is the place to be. And Lucifer wants her there, the dashing man with no last name and more secrets than even she has. But love isn’t always enough. Arizona must find purpose in her new life.
The Royal Guard could give Lucifer and Arizona what they desire.
They only need to pass two tests to win the Game and enter the elite Guard.
But is her real test to open her heart to true love?
And will she win her wings to fly into his arms?
The second saga in the bestselling, groundbreaking Forever Evermore series begins with Chosen Thief, where the life of a skilled lawbreaker becomes much more than she ever wanted...
Caroline Jules knows death is
imminent. She’s only 22, but as an inmate of Death Row in the most secure Mystical jail, what else could her future hold?
Caro has no idea. Her solitary, transient life is about to get flipped on its head when it is revealed that she is the new Prodigy Elemental, and she has responsibilities and ties that she can’t ever escape. Caro is attempting to run from a brutal past, but the Rulers have other plans for this thief’s future.
But the transition from a self-contained existence to life with the other Prodigies, the Kings and Queens, and even the Elders was never going to be easy, and Caro has secrets she’s loath to share. Suddenly she has friends, mentors, lovers — and they all want to know more about her than she is willing to reveal.
Will Caro ever escape the darkness of all she is, or will she fall deeper into the life that has been chosen for her?
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Obsidian Music (Lion Security Book 3) Page 16
