Page 91 of Merciless Queen

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Kissing my wife as part of the vow ceremony.Though I doubt she’d accept that response.

While I’m coming up with a reply she’ll accept, a loud sound comes from outside. One similar to an alarm—or at least that’s what it sounds like to my insides when I lurch upwards, instincts clenching every muscle.

A spray of bullets pellet the side of my home, but it feels as though one’s jammed their way into my heart.

No.

My gaze jerks to the door. Serafina. Venus. Nero.

Beneath me, Vanessa coughs, her nails dragging once more over the back of my head as she turns my face back toward her. Lips I willingly wanted to devour seconds ago curl up in the corner, her cruel smile icing my veins.

“How’s it feel to have your home invaded?”

I could only hope Nero and Serafina already left for Ostia and are far away from the army of Bratva soldiers presently crashing through my front doors.

I lunge to my feet, barely casting a look toward Vanessa and rush from the room, my thoughts no longer on my new wife but the person here who matters more than anyone: Serafina.

This is why she’s kept away. Her safety is everything, so Vanessa’s side just took the next strike in the war if she’sharmed. I won’t stop fighting until it’s over, and even then, I’ll happily hand my life over in exchange for hers. Irefuseto live in a world where Serafina doesn’t exist.

I’m weaponless as I rush down the hallway because I’m an idiot who was unequipped during my entire outing with Vanessa. Taking a detour for a weapon is no longer an option because when I reach the stairs, a deadly silence falls.

Silent like my heart.

Amidst the eerie silence, there’s a low growl and a bark as Venus protects her home from the invasion. If anyone in the Bratva dares hurt that dog, they’ll all burn in Hell.

Training says I should descend the stairs slowly, considering I’m weaponless against many without a way of knowing Nero and Serafina’s status. But given the unknown, my steps are not slow and by the time I’m at the bottom, I’ve surveyed the situation.

A dozen Bratva soldiers line my main foyer in formation, all with their weapons angled toward Nero and Serafina who are both kneeling. It’s not the first time Nero’s been held at gunpoint, so he remains stoic as ever, but it’s my sister who has my focus. The way her arms shake as she fights to keep them upright. Still, her head remains straight, her jaw firm and feigning a fearlessness that makes me proud. Venus’s barking continues, but she sounds pissed, not in pain.

At my arrival, the two nearest soldiers jerk their guns my way, and I hold my hands up too, showing them I’m unarmed.

“She’s upstairs,” I tell them, scanning the line for who’d be the leader among them.

Front and centre is the Volkov I’ve yet to meet: Dimitri, Vanessa’s cousin and Ivan’s son. Beside him, one on either side, are her other two Elite members, Anastasia and Lev, glaring at me with the same hateful expression they had when thetables were turned and they were on their knees when my men attacked.

Dimitri gestures with his Glock. “Kneel.”

For Serafina’s sake, I obey immediately.

My sister watches me as I lower to my knees beside her, and the tears in the corner of her eyes are an absolute gut punch. She shouldneverbe in a situation involving a gun pointed at her. She’s trying to be brave, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

Venus barks again, and I try pinpoint where the sound’s coming from. “Where’s my dog?”

Dimitri tips his head toward the hall closet, which is large enough for at least three people to stand inside comfortably. “Didn’t feel like getting bitten.”

Relief is instant, but quickly stolen once more when I hear the poetic, sexy voice of their Pakhan—and my wife.

“Lower your weapons, all of you.”

Dimitri’sthe first to obey, and also the first to react to my presence. He doesn’t bother hiding his thoughts when relief breaks across his expression as I walk down the stairs and stride by Zeno, Nero, and Serafina on their knees.

“You’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” I reply, reaching his side, glancing toward Anastasia and Lev as well. “Thanks.”

“Of course.” Dimitri reaches into his thigh holster and unlocks a second gun, pressing it into my waiting hand. Instantly, I’m eased with the welcoming weight of protection.

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