Yuri releases his clutches from Sophia and Liam. They rush toward me, throwing their arms around my waist as I pull them against me, embracing them and rushing them out of danger. I walk with them several paces away from both men.
Neither of them seems trustworthy—the mafia or the bratva.
I may as well dig my own grave, putting my life in their hands, either one of them.
Antonio shoves the gun barrel under Yuri’s chin, the safety cocked. “Tell me what the plan was. I want to know everything! Who else is involved in your little scheme to murder Aleksandra? What did you plan on doing with the twins?”
“I don’t work for you,” Yuri barks.
“Obviously,” Antonio says. I imagine he’s rolling his eyes, annoyed by Yuri’s answer. But a man like Yuri doesn’t divulge secrets. “Who are you taking orders from? Mikhail?”
How could he take orders from Mikhail? Isn’t my brother dead or detained in Antonio’s prison?
“Let me guess, you’re betraying your boss just like Mario betrayed me,” Antonio says. He slams his knee up into Yuri’s crotch, watching the man double over in agony. He lands two more blows to his chest and another to his face.
Yuri doesn’t fight back.
Why?
I don’t understand it. I want to shield my children from the violence, the cruelty, and the horror of what they’ve already endured at the hands of men who want nothing more than blood.
There’s no honor in any of it.
I grab the children’s hands and hurry with them through the forest, away from Antonio and Yuri.
A gunshot rings out.
I freeze momentarily, stunned by the realization that one of them is dead.
Neither man would be callous enough to offer a warning shot. “Come on,” I say, dragging Sophia and Liam through the forest and darkness, back toward the light in the distance. The blazing flame from the helicopter explosion offers enough of a glimpse to guide me along the way.
We are near the empty car with the headlights on.
I shuffle the twins into the back seat. “Stay here,” I warn them. I shut the passenger door left open from their earlier escape and hurry around the vehicle for Mario’s dead body.
He’s not moving, but there’s still a fear that ripples through me.
What if he’s not dead?
What if Mario grabs me and attacks me?
I exhale a shaky breath and crouch down to the ground, searching Mario for his keys. His body is no longer warm. The cold air has helped chill him down. I dig my hand into his pocket and retrieve the car keys.
He doesn’t move, doesn’t flinch. He’s dead.
“What are you doing?” Antonio’s voice forces a shudder to run through me.
He’s towering above me and could end all of this if that’s what he wants to do.
“Do you plan on killing me?” I whisper, standing slowly as I turn around to face him.
I can’t trust anyone but myself.
With the fire raging nearby, it’s easy to see his facial features. His brow is furrowed, his jaw tight with a grimace. “No.” Antonio appears both perplexed and insulted by my accusation.
There’s crimson on his white shirt beneath the black suit on the collar. If there’s also blood on the suit, I can’t see it in the darkness.
“You murdered Yuri,” I say, meeting his stare. I refuse to cower or show fear, even though I’m trembling inside.