Page 23 of Ruthless Prince

“Are you Vincent Antonov?” he asks in a gruff voice.

“No,” I say instinctively. I don’t want this man to know who I am.

He smirks. “I think you are.” He whips out a knife and slashes it at my face.

I push Ellie out of the way, and she falls to the ground. I grab the man’s arm, stopping him just in time from slashing my eye out. My broken rib is screaming in pain.

Shoving the man back, I kick him in the stomach. He doubles over slightly but regroups and charges at me. I duck out of his way and land a hit to his chest, but he slices the knife down my arm, drawing blood.

“Vincent,” Ellie gasps. Before I can react, she runs at the man and jumps on him from behind. He shakes her off, knocking her back down, but it gives me what I need. A chance to attack.

I grab the assassin’s wrist and force him to drop the knife. I catch it as it falls and stab him in the arm with it. He groans, backing away.

I use one of my signature moves and kick high, landing a solid hit to his head. That knocks him to the ground.

Grabbing Ellie’s arms, I help her back up, and we run for the car. The assassin gives chase.

“Get in!” I shout at her. Ellie scrambles for the car door, but the assassin is there, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her back. He hits her in the stomach.

The sight of Ellie in pain causes my stomach lurch.

“Let her go,” I growl, charging the man, barreling right into him. He releases Ellie, and she dives into the car and turns it on.

“Vincent!” she shouts, opening the passenger side door.

I give the assassin one more punch and then get into the car. He slams into the door as I close it.

Ellie doesn’t hesitate to speed away. “Who was that?”

“Another assassin. Somone was watching us. They want me dead, and they’re willing to come at me on a public street. Whoever wants me deadreallywants me dead.”

“Then we need to find out who and stop them.”

“No. Not you, Ellie. I can handle this on my own.”

“No,” she says in a fierce voice. “I’m a part of this now, too, Vincent. I was attacked, too. Yes, the assassin was coming after you, but he was willing to hurt me to get you. I’m involved. I want to help.”

“But you can’t fight. You’re a liability.”

She flinches. “How can you say that?”

“Ellie,” I say, sighing deeply. “I didn’t mean it as an insult. I like you. I don’t want to see you get hurt because of me. I’ll find out who’s going after me and end this.”

“My father will find out about this. I need to tell him. Maybe he can help.”

“Maybe,” I murmur, unsure if anyone could help me now.

ELLIE

My father is waiting for us the moment we get home. “Good. You’re back.” He checks his watch. “And early, too. If you had returned her home late, Vincent, I wouldn’t have been happy with you.”

Vincent smiles, but it’s tense. “I wouldn’t risk Ellie’s safety, sir.”

“An assassin attacked us tonight,” I blurt out.

My father frowns. “What?”

“Someone’s going after Vincent, Father. You need to find out who and stop them. And please don’t blame Vincent for this. He saved me tonight. You should give him a medal for it.”

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