Page 29 of Between Power and Passion

Heat flares across my face as I bristle at his insinuation. "That's none of your damn business, Alexei."

Spinning on my heel, I stalk toward the mouth of the alley, eager to escape his prodding questions. But of course, the incorrigible bastard follows, easily keeping pace.

"Oh, come on, Dmitri!" He calls after me in a singsong tone. "Tell me, are you going to marry soon? I want to watch you get married!"

I grit my teeth, refusing to rise to the bait as we reach the nondescript sedan parked in the shadows. I yank open the driver's side door, sliding into the leather seat. Alexei folds himself into the passenger side, still grinning like a smug cat.

"So you two love birds are having a bit of a tiff then?" His eyes sparkle. "Trouble in paradise?"

I jam the key into the ignition, the engine rumbles to life, and I pull away from the curb. "Drop it, Alexei."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him open his mouth, no doubt to unleash another comment. But something in my steely glare must give him pause. He backs down, much to my relief.

"You're no fun, you big oaf."

Chapter 13 - Valentina

I wake up to a hand clamped tightly over my mouth, stifling any chance of a scream. It's not Dmitri. He doesn't smell like flowers. I thrash against the iron grip, but the assailant doesn't budge. Terror seizes me as the unmistakable sound of gunshots echoes through the house. Something is wrong.

I summon every ounce of strength and drive my elbow back into the man's ribs. He grunts, and his hold loosens for a split second—just enough for me to twist and deliver a crushing blow to his groin. He doubles over, and I break free, bolting from the room.

I dart down the hallway, my bare feet slapping against the cold floor as I flee from the intruder. My heart thunders in my chest, fear coursing through my veins. I reach the top of the staircase and risk a glance back—the man is closing in fast, a menacing look twisting his features.

Before I can react, his arm snakes around my waist, jerking me backwards. The muzzle of a gun presses against my temple, and a low voice hisses in my ear. "Don't try anything funny."

I freeze, my body rigid with terror. Slowly, he forces me down the stairs, the gun digging into my skin with every step. As we reach the bottom, my gaze locks with Dmitri's. His eyes widen, then narrow into slits of rage as he takes in the scene.

"Blyad!" he snarls, fists clenching.

Dmitri's men have their weapons drawn, forming a tense standoff with the invading gang. The man behind me chuckles darkly.

"I thought Dmitri Ivanov died years ago." His tone turns mocking. "But I'm sure even you must be surprised you’re alive."

Dmitri's jaw tightens, his glare burning with hatred. "Don't say my father's name, you piece of shit."

The man laughs, the sound grating against my ears. "You're still a small boy, Dmitri. You shouldn't have thought you could play games with your elders." He pauses. Then I can hear the sneer in his voice. "Micah was a foolish choice." The words roll off his tongue with a mocking lilt. "With just a small threat, he started blabbing like a fish without water."

Dmitri's piercing gaze remains fixed on the man restraining me. The intruder continues. "You want to know why Ivanov died? He took Sergei's diamond."

"Don't lie," Dmitri growls. "My father never would have put our family in jeopardy like that."

The man barks out a laugh. "That's true. He was too much of a coward. We knew and Sergei knew as well that Ivanov didn't take it. But Sergei needed to make an example out of someone."

Dmitri's face pales. "An example?" he echoes, his voice strained.

"Da, we decided who would get killed by pulling straws. Can you imagine? And your father's name was the shortest. Ivanov was just unlucky."

A feral growl rips from Dmitri's throat, and he takes a threatening step forward. The man instantly tightens his grip, jerking me backwards. "Calm down," he warns, "or I'll put a bullet in Valentina. Sergei said we can do whatever with her as long as we get to you."

The man's vile words cut deep, reopening wounds I thought had healed. "Dmitri..." I whisper, my voice trembling. He told me the truth about his family, but to hear the cruel details spoken so callously turns my stomach.

Dmitri's face twists into a mask of pure rage. "I'm going to kill you," he seethes, taking another step forward.

I feel the man throw his head back and let out a mocking laugh. It's abruptly cut off as a stream of blood spews from his mouth. My stomach turns as the warm liquid splashes across my face, and I let out a piercing scream.

The man's grip goes slack, and he crumbles to the floor, just a dead weight collapsing on top of me. I catch a glimpse of the bullet wound in his neck before my vision is obscured by his lifeless body pinning me down.

Dmitri rushes over, gripping the man's shoulders and wrenching him off me with a grunt. He kneels beside me, tenderly brushing my hair away from my face with a shaking hand. "Valentina... are you okay?" His voice is thick with worry.

---