Page 77 of Regal Queen

Twenty-One

The moment Bourbonappeared in the doorway, with Dimitri holding a gun to his head, my heart lurched in my throat.

We'd expected this.

Planned for this, hoped it would happen.

To draw Dimitri out into the open, where Dante was hiding with a sniper rifle trained on him… if one of us didn’t get to him first.

And still, with the gun to Bourbon’s head, my heart stopped beating.

That Dimitri wouldn't kill Bourbon if I wasn't there with him.

With one click of Dimitri's finger, Bourbon could be dead.

Seeing it now, I had no shadow of a doubt how much I loved him.

He was my heart and soul. Everything I ever wanted.

Someone who showed me with actions, not just words, how much he loved me.

Bourbon was putting his absolute faith in me. He'd lived up to his word to trust me.

And by following my plan, he put his own life in absolute danger.

I now knew that he meant what he said.

He did love me.

Meeting his gaze across the tarmac, I had no shadow of a doubt about it now.

And I loved him in return.

I loved this man.

Every beat of my heart proclaimed it to me.

"Rose," Dimitri yelled. "I know you're here. Come out, or I blow his brain."

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out and into the open. My stomach was clenching, my heart racing, my whole body strung tight.

I stepped forward slowly, trying not to freak out as I came towards them, holding my gun out in front of me. "I'm here, Dimitri."

He swiveled, his eyes racing until they landed on me, then a cruel smile twisted his lips. "Of course, your his weakness. And he’s yours, as you helpfully confirmed to me just now.”

“This is between you and me, Dimitri." I shook my head. “Let him go.”

He laughed, dragging the gun pointed at Bourbon’s head down to his neck harshly. "I don't think so." He jerked his head at me. “Put your gun down.”

I lifted it with my finger off the trigger, holding it so that the could see it clearly. "Okay. You win."

I bent, lowering it to the ground, keeping my eyes on him the whole time.

“Kick it away.”

I did as he said, fear making my heart clench.

"Now," he growled at Bourbon, "tell your men to stand down."

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