Page 63 of Diamond Dream

Still holding on to me, Dmitri digs around his pockets, searching for what I can only presume is the key that unlocks the doors. But before he is able to locate it, the startling sound of the warehouse’s metal front doors opening and closing echoes through the air.

I don’t have the chance to even muster a reaction since Dmitri’s hand closes over my mouth almost instantly. I can barely breathe, let alone scream.

Quietly, Dmitri turns around, pressing his back against the doors to the armory. He positions me directly in front of him, drawing me close until my body practically covers the front of his.

A human shield. Nice.

A heartbeat later, I see him.

He’s more breathtaking than ever—even more than I remember.

I thought I’d never see him again, but he’s here. He’s so handsome it almost physically hurts me. The mere sight of him makes me want to weep.

He came for me.

After everything, he still came for me.

Dmitri’s hands grasp me painfully, but I barely feel the discomfort. All I see is Nik—his tall frame, those broad shoulders enclosed by his jet-black jacket, and that glossy dark hair arrestingly framing his gorgeous face.

I want to run into his arms. I want to hold him tightly to me and never let him go.

Dmitri tightens his hold on me and I realize I had been unwittingly struggling against him. I try harder to break free from him, but I might as well be pounding sand. Dmitri towers almost a foot over me, and he likely outweighs me by at least fifty pounds, too—I have no shot.

Nik’s eyes land on us then.

“Kat…” he says hoarsely. “You’re alive.”

As Dmitri’s palm keeps me from speaking, I frantically nod, wordlessly attempting to convey to Nik everything I feel right now. All that’s been left unsaid for far too long.

Nik scans me from head to toe. “Did he hurt you?”

I shake my head, and Nik’s shoulders sag in relief. Instantly, his attention is diverted to the man behind me.

“Dmitri…” Nik calmly—almost placatingly—says.

“Nikki—” Dmitri says with a gasp, his voice quivering. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. You have to believe me, Nik.”

“I do, Dmitri,” Nik says appeasingly, stretching his hand towards us. “Let Kat go, and we’ll talk. Everything will be okay.”

Violently shaking his head, Dmitri says, “No. I’m sorry, Nik. I can’t do that. I’m sorry, but I need her.”

Nik’s voice remains impressively even. “You know I won’t let you take her with you.”

Humorlessly, Dmitri laughs. “I don’t see how you can stop me. I have the girl and the gun.”

Nik’s gaze fixates on the pistol in Dmitri’s hand. “Kat is not a part of this, Dmitri. This is between you and me. Let her go.”

“You made her a part of this,” Dmitri angrily says, clutching me tightly. “Her blood will be on your hands as much as mine.”

Nik’s eyes widen slightly at Dmitri’s passionate tone. “No blood needs to be shed today. Why don’t you let Kat go so you and I can sort this out between us? Peacefully.”

Dmitri scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Come on, Nik. I know you too well to believe that. The moment I let her go, I’m a dead man. And I can’t die just yet.”

“You have the gun,” Nik says. “You said it yourself. Let Kat go, Dmitri. You haven’t harmed anyone innocent yet. No reason to start now.”

“I realize this might not be my greatest moment, Nik, but I’m not that stupid. After what I’ve done to Maxim, to Kat… If I let her go, I’m done. You’ll see to that.”

Nik shakes his head, sighing. “Dmitri, you’re like a brother to me. I could never kill you in cold blood. Let’s talk. Let Kat go, and you and I will figure this out. I promise.”

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