Page 137 of Claim

“Mikhail, we could have overtaken Ivan and ruled together. Maybe if this fucking brat wasn’t in the way.” She waves the barrel over Ana’s bulging belly.

“Zoya, no!” I cry out, still locked by one arm. “I’ll kill you myself!”

“You’re just a jealous bitch.” Ana raises her jaw defiantly.

It makes me love her even more. She’s brave beyond measure in the face of danger.

“I wasfirst.” Zoya spits. “Always remember that.”

“Put the gun down.” Tatiana demands. The tone of her voice tells me she’s used to having her commands followed.

Hades growls from next to Ana, but doesn’t move.

“Why should I listen to you? You’re in no position to make demands either.” Zoya waves the gun towards her, then recenters it on Ana.

“You’re going to shoot a pregnant girl? For what? Some unfounded search for glory?” Tatiana raises her palms. “Maybe we can make a deal?”

“No! It’s my right! I deserve it!” Zoya’s mouth wavers as she wildly swings her weapon around the room.

“She’s crazier than I am,” Alexei whispers as he fumbles toward the other cuff.

“Alexei, you need to get her out of here!” I shake my arm, holding out my hand for the key.

He drops it into my palm, but it falls into the cushion of the couch.

Fuck.

Alexei scrambles, running towards Ana.

Zoya glances at him, then squeezes the trigger.

It’s like the world slips into slow motion as my eyes lock onto the look of fear and shock frozen onto my wife’s face.

“No!” Tatiana jumps towards Ana.

Ana and Tatiana tumble to the floor. Alexei pins Zoya beneath him, prying the gun out of her hand and shoving it towards Drago.

“Ana!” I shout with my ears still ringing from the blast.

But I can’t see her. My hand dives into the cushions to try and find the key, but it’s nowhere within my reach.

“Natalia!” Zoya screams, drowning out any other sound with a high pitched keening as she pulls herself away from Alexei.

With all the rage and strength in my body, I strain against the cuff until the bolts pull from the wall, bouncing off the floor when I jerk it loose to slip myself free.

Then a tiny voice breaks through my fury when I hear Ana saying the words I taught her.

“Mayday. Mayday. Mayday.” She falls limply back to the floor as I rush to her.

Hades leaps away from the wall and grabs Zoya’s shoulder in his crushing jaws, shaking his head, his teeth rip into her flesh as her new shrieks of agony fill the room.

He tackles her down, pinning her to the tile, jaw gnashing, he slings chunks of skin and muscle, spraying everyone near with blood.

I barely notice, collapsing to my knees next to my pale wife.

“Ana, please, are you okay?” My thumb brushes her cheek, then I wrap my arm behind her head, shielding her from the ravaging dog and the mess he’s making of Zoya.

At least the screams have stopped.

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