Page 38 of Heirs of Havoc

My jaw tightens. “Is he playing chicken?”

“I really don’t know,” Feliks mutters, pulling his flask to his lips.

Another horn sounds. The lights draw closer. But Dom still stands there.

Opening the door, I yell towards him. “Get off the tracks, you diva.” He’s fucking insane.

“Isn’t this what you want, Merlo?” Taking a puff of his cigarette, the train lights shine on his stacked body, smoke billowing into the air. “You want me to die?”

The ground rattles, the train barrelling closer. “Dom, this isn’t fucking funny.”

He laughs, loud as usual, telling me it is indeed funny, but all I can see is the light on him getting brighter. “I knew you’d be the death of me, Emilia Merlo.” The way he says my name, my full name sends shivers crawling up my back.

The horn sounds again. Long and loud.

It’s only a matter of time before that’s it.

The end of Dominik Federov.

The end of my cell.

The end to my torture.

“Dom!” So why the hell am I running towards the tracks?

Chapter Sixteen

Dom tips his cigarette towards me like he’s saying goodbye.

The train doesn’t slow, and it’s so close I can feel the wind coming off it.

The ground shakes under my feet, my hands outstretched. Closing my eyes, my sneakers rush towards Dom, right onto the tracks.

His eyes widen before my body slaps into him with such force that he stumbles back. Wind billows by me as I close my eyes, my head pressed to his chest.

This is the way I always thought we'd go out.

Together.

I wait for the train to hit us. I wait for our lives to end.

But all I feel is my body shake.

When I open my eyes, I’m on top of Dominik, his face an inch from mine. Sound rushes back to me as the train speeds by behind us, the horn blaring with it.

Glancing back, we’re on the empty track, but not by much. We’re only a foot away from the massive cargo train whizzing behind us.

And somehow this maniac still has his cigarette.

Dom brings the golden end to his lips, the ember glowing red as his eyes pierce into mine. My heartbeat pounds against his chest, his heart as fast as mine, and for a moment, I’m reminded Dominik is human. All pride, but human.

Deep inside, I know he’s as afraid as I am of him. Of me. Of death. His eyes drop to my lips, a rare twinkle in those greys. “Guess you don’t want me dead after all,” Dom laughs, an air of relief peppering his stupid chuckle as he stares up at the starry sky. The warmth of his body isn’t enough to stop the chills rushing through me as I piece together the stupid thing I did.

I risked my life for Dominik Federov. Again. A monster. A murderer.

A notorious asshole.

And that’s when my hand comes to his face.

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