Page 71 of Cruel Knots

I can’t let Callum hurt him again, I decide despite knowing the risks of leaving the room.

Walking to the door, I peer out. Bodies in black litter the entire stretch of the corridor. The white marble floor is completely drenched in blood.

Damien is like a true beast as he slashes at the hordes of men swarming up the staircase. The position sort of helps him. The narrow stairs prevent more than two men from coming up at once. Damien attacks them at blinding speed before they have a chance to gauge the situation.

He’s extremely talented. Lilja’s skills seem like a novice’s compared to his. He kills with speed and without a moment’s hesitation.

The sounds of explosions and gunfire coming from outside the manor gradually cease. It looks like the battle is coming to an end.

Damien turns around, his gaze falling on me. His heavily scarred face is painted with splatters of blood. The white shirt he wears is soaked in crimson.

Gazing at him and seeing him being alive sends a rush of relief through me.

I run toward him, uncaring about the way I stumble over the corpses that litter the floor. Throwing my arms around him, I squeeze him tight. “You didn’t die,” I say, hugging him.

“Don’t be silly,” he says in a deep voice that echoes through me. “It takes more than a bunch of mercenaries-for-hire to kill a Volkov. The only way to hurt a Volkov is to capture their heart.”

His hand gently rubs my back, the gesture soothing and comforting.

Why does it have to feel so good to be embraced by him? He’s still my captor.

Loosening my arms, I’m about to step away when something catches my eye. I peer around his broad torso and glimpse a man at the end of the hallway. A gun is aimed at Damien’s back.

“Get out of the way!” I cry. Mustering all the strength in me, I push Damien to the side.

His arm is wrapped around me, so we fall to the floor in a haphazard heap. A loud gunshot echoes around the hallway at the same instant. The bullet whizzes past my cheek, narrowly missing me.

I land on Damien’s chest.

Next second, I hear a short grunt. Scrambling to look toward the shooter, I find Damien’s dagger jutting out of his left eye.

I watch with sick fascination as the man’s knees eventually hit the ground. A moment later, he slumps on the floor with the rest of his companions.

“Lucia.” The way Damien calls my name sends my heart racing, but it isn’t from fear. A warm emotion washes over me as I look at him.

His glass-blue eyes aren’t filled with hate or anger. For the first time, he lets me see the desperation in them.

“Why did you do that? The bullet could’ve hit you,” he says, gazing deep into my eyes.

The scars on his face don’t bother me anymore. I look straight at him and wind my arms around his neck, my body lying on top of him like a protective, embracing shield.

“I won’t let you get hurt again,” I mumble into his chest. “Things will be different this time around. You have no idea how long I’ve waited to see you again. You can hate me. You can hurt me but I will never stop loving you.”

“Lucia...” His chest rumbles as he whispers my name again.

I hear the rapid beats of his heart as I lay my head against his chest.

“This doesn’t change anything,” he says but there’s no hate or rage in his voice. “I’ll never let you go.” With a sudden movement, he rolls over, forcing me to lie underneath him.

His gaze darkens. “This isn’t the place for such talks.” Getting off me, he kneels beside me and slips his arms under me. “Let’s get you somewhere safer.”

He hauls me into his arms and carries me back inside the room that acts as my prison. Slamming the door shut, he places me on my feet.

Before I can take a step away from him, he shoves me against the wall by the door and captures both my wrists. Forcing my arms over my head, he captures my lips in a searing kiss.

My tongue sweeps over his, causing him to suck in a breath. Catching my bottom lip between his teeth, he nips lightly.

A moan escapes me.

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