Page 86 of Use Me, Daddy

And then they were on me.

Fists landed, heavy and deliberate, and the world narrowed to pain and the sharp taste of blood in my mouth. I swung, landing a blow on one of them before another strike took me to my knees.

Through the haze of pain, I caught a glimpse of Santini’s smirk as he stepped forward, his voice smooth and mocking. “You should’ve stayed in your own little world, Morozov.”

But as they dragged me toward the back of the gallery, my only thought was of Amy.

Of her bravery.

Of the fire in her eyes as she fought beside me.

I just had to survive long enough to get back to her.

CHAPTER 25

Amy

My legs burned as I sprinted through the darkened streets, my heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the chaos in my head. The gun was still clutched in my hand, though I wasn’t sure if I’d even have the strength—or nerve—to fire it again.

Aleksei’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and commanding.“Go! That’s an order!”

I wanted to turn back, to fight my way back to him, but his men dragged me toward the alley and shoved me into the night. Two of them were running by my side, flanking me as I sprinted through the dark.

Orlov’s men weren’t far behind. Their shouts cut through the night air, mingling with the sound of my boots slamming against the pavement. I darted around a corner, skidding slightly on the wet ground, and pressed myself against the wall of a shadowy alley. My breath came in ragged gasps as I gripped the gun tighter, my hands shaking.

Come on, Amy, I thought, forcing myself to breathe.

You’re not going down like this.

The men’s voices grew louder, closer, and I knew I had seconds to move. Swallowing my fear, I turned and climbed the fire escape ladder bolted to the wall, my limbs screaming in protest. I reached the roof just as the first of them rounded the corner below.

“There!” one of them barked, pointing up at me.

Shit.

I didn’t stop to think. I ran, jumping from one rooftop to the next, my adrenaline the only thing keeping me upright. I ran across the roof of the second building, looking back to see that Aleksei’s men and the Orlovs were locked in hand-to-hand combat back on the ground.

So I kept running.

Then I saw a flickering neon green sign above a doorway across the street. The lights were on inside and it looked busy enough that I could use the crowd for cover.

The sign said Murphy’s Pub.

I scrambled down the nearest fire escape, my feet hitting the ground hard. Without hesitation, I bolted across the street, throwing myself toward the pub’s door. I shoved it open, the warmth and noise of the bar washing over me like a soothing wave.

Heads turned as I stumbled inside, my chest heaving, the gun still clutched in my hand.

“Well, well,” a smooth, amused female voice said. “And here I thought tonight was going to be boring.”

I looked up and saw the woman who’d spoken. She looked like a force of nature, dressed in a sharp, tailored pantsuit with a red lipstick that could cut glass. She stood behind the bar, her hand resting casually on her hip, but there was nothing casual about the knowing glint in her eyes.

“My name is Amy. I need help,” I gasped, my voice trembling but determined.

The woman raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking to the gun in my hand. “Looks like you’ve had an exciting night.”

“I’m being chased,” I said quickly, glancing over my shoulder. “By men from the Orlov Bratva.”

That got her attention. The room went quiet, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

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