Page 74 of Devil's Bride

He lunges out, firing wildly. I dive behind another stack of crates, feeling the heat of bullets passing dangerously close. My mind races, searching for an opening, a way to end this without risking Irina's life.

Paulo ducks to the next container where Irina is hiding and grabs her. He pulls her up and cocks his gun. “Come out or I kill the girl.”

“Alexei, don’t. Run, please,” Irina pleads. “He’ll kill you.”

No, he’ll kill her if I don’t do what he wants. It’s not up for negotiation. I can tell from how crazy he looks right now.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest, and slowly emerge into the open. Paulo smirks, a wicked grin that sends a chill down my spine.

“Well, well, well, Alexei,” he sneers, “looks like you're caught. It seems like Irina won't be making it out alive after all.”

I raise my gun, aiming at his chest. “You made a mistake, Paulo. I won't let you get away with this.”

He laughs, his eyes gleaming with pure malice. “I'm afraid you have no choice, Alexei. This was never about Irina. It was always about you, and now she’ll pay for it.”

With a swift motion, he turns the gun towards me and pulls the trigger.

A shot rings out. For a split second, time freezes. I brace for the impact, but instead, I see Irina’s father, stumble forward, blood blossoming over his chest. Irina’s scream pierces the night as she pushes Paulo away and runs to her father. She catches him, sinking to the ground with him in her arms.

The world narrows to a single point. Rage and desperation explode within me. Paulo’s momentary distraction is all I need. I lunge forward, my fists connecting with his face, over and over, until his gun clatters to the ground. He swings back, but I duck, driving a knee into his gut. He gasps, stumbling, and I don’t stop until he’s down.

I point my gun at him. “I told you, it is over for you.”

I pull the trigger three times. All three bullets to his chest. His death rattle lasts only a second and he’s gone.

Breathing heavily, I turn to Irina. She’s holding her father, tears streaming down her face.

Matteo’s breaths are shallow, each one a struggle. I kneel beside them, feeling helpless.

“Dad! No!” Irina cries, her voice breaking. “Don’t die on me, please. We’ll get you to a hospital and you’ll be fine.”

“Irina,” Matteo whispers, his voice weak but filled with regret. “I’m...I’m so sorry.”

“Dad, please, stay with me,” she begs, her voice trembling. “You can’t die. I haven’t forgiven you yet.”

He shakes his head slowly. “Forgive me, Irina. I should have...should have protected you. I should have been a better father.”

Sobs wrack her body as she clutches him tighter. “You were always a good father to me. I forgive you, Dad. Just don’t leave me.”

Matteo smiles weakly. “You…have no idea…how much that means to me.”

His eyes flutter closed, and with a final, shuddering breath, he stills.

Irina shakes him. “Dad.” She scrutinizes him for a breath, a sign that he is not truly gone. “Dad no, please.”

Her wail of grief tears through me. I crouch there, helpless, unable to do anything for her. The only thing I can do is to pull her away from him and let her find solace in my arms.

I tug her into my embrace, feeling her tremble against me I gather her in my arms, holding her as she cries.

“It’s okay, malyshka,” I whisper, patting her head. “You’ll be fine.”

We’ll be fine.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Irina

It’s a week since my father’s death, and a day since his funeral. It broke me to see my mother wailing over his casket, and Damien…my brother was nothing but an empty shell.

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