Page 30 of Dark Seduction

Amid the sound of shattering glass and the sharp zing of bullets ricocheting, I catch a glimpse of blood spreading across Luk's sleeve, stark against the white of his shirt.

He doesn’t flinch or groan; his focus entirely on Maura, his movements protective and precise. The stark fear for her safety overshadows his own, his arm hanging limply by his side as hechecks her over for injuries.

The crowd scrambles amidst the panic, driven by sheer survival instinct. Elena, Vladimir, and Yuri jump into action, barking orders to get everyone to safety. It's all happening so fast, like a scene from an action movie, except it’s terrifyingly real.

Lev yanks me behind a car, using it as a makeshift barrier. He’s all protective mode, checking me over quickly, making sure I’m not hit. "You okay?" he asks, his gaze sharp and assessing.

"Yeah," I answer, barely hearing my own voice over the chaos.

"Stay down and keep hidden, no matter what. Don't lift your head," he commands, his voice firm, brooking no argument. “Do you understand?”

I nod, trying to process an impossible situation.

“Tell me with words that you understand.”

"I understand," I assure him, my voice gaining a bit of strength.

He places his hand on my shoulder, grounding me.

As he prepares to stand, I latch onto his shoulder, my voice spiked with fear. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to protect my family," he declares without a hint of hesitation. Suddenly, he pulls out a large silver pistol from under his jacket, and my breath catches.

Why on earth does the COO of a holdings company carry a gun like it's second nature?

Before I can voice my shock, he's already moving. He darts out from behind our makeshift cover, firing off rounds with a practiced hand. One of the bikers makes a beeline for Luk andMaura, but Lev's shot catches him in the shoulder, halting him in his tracks.

I'm stunned, watching Lev maneuver with a cold, calculated precision that chills me to the bone. He's not just some corporate executive; he's trained and lethal. It was one thing to hear about his military background, but a whole other thing entirely to see him in action.

I can hardly make heads or tails of what’s happening, but it soon becomes clear the attackers are retreating.

Lev continues to fire, the sharp reports of his gun slicing through the evening. Suddenly, a burst of gunfire erupts near him, and he groans, ducking swiftly behind cover.

Panic seizes me, overriding caution. I can't just sit back; I need to make sure he's okay. Ignoring the danger, I dart out from behind the car, crouching low to the ground. The remaining bikers are making a quick getaway, the wounded one struggling to get onto his bike.

Heart pounding, I rush toward Lev, desperate to reach him, praying he's not hurt.

His eyes flash, sharp and commanding. "Get the hell down!" he snaps, scanning the area for more threats. "Get behind cover, now!"

"Not a chance!" I shoot back, unwilling to leave him exposed. My heart slams against my ribs, the air thick with danger.

Suddenly, the wounded biker lifts his gun, aiming directly at me. My breath catches as time slows down. But before he can fire, Lev swings his pistol up and squeezes the trigger. The shot rings out, striking the biker, causing his aim to veer off wildly, thebullet zinging past me and hitting nothing but air.

With a curse, the biker revs his engine and takes off in pain and desperation, losing control. His motorcycle bounces off a parked car with a crash that echoes down the street.

The bike, still careening wildly, rockets toward me, its rider half-slumped over, grappling to maintain control. It's like everything shifts into matrix mode—the roar of the engine, the cries from the crowd, Lev's voice shouting my name.

Fear roots me to the spot; I'm a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming disaster.

The bike is closing in, too fast for me to react. Desperate fear grips me, and all I can do is throw my hands over my eyes, bracing for the impact. My heart pounds against my ribcage, each beat a drum of impending doom.

Then, suddenly, everything goes silent.

Chapter 13

Dalia

“Not a chance in hell! I’m going with her!”

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