Page 142 of Claim

“No!” Ivan bellows. “This ends now!”

When the next shot fires, I catch the flash of the barrel through the trees.

The second guard teeters, then collapses.

“Alexei, get Jax!” I yell, running forward to yank the gun from the falling man before he hits the ground.

Whipping around, I point it at my father.

Nikolai appears, grabbing his arms and pinning them behind his back.

Ivan sneers as Sven and Ben appear from the dense cover of the forest, both holding high powered sniper rifles on their shoulders.

“Of course it’s the Butcher’s men.” Ivan spits.

“Got him covered?” I ask Nikolai.

He nods as I run by. I need to make sure Jax is okay.

“Alexei?” I squat next to him. “Tell me.”

Alexei has his shirt pulled off and is holding it tightly against Jax’s shoulder. “He should be good. Might fuck up his right hook for a while.” He grins, showing his silver tooth. “Come on, Jax. I’ve seen you take a harder hit from Maeve.”

Jax groans and rolls onto his side. “Dude, that shit hurts.”

“We’ve all been shot, Jax.” I glance back at Ivan who’s defiantly staring down the twins. “Alexei, can you take him inside and make sure Ana is safe?”

“Sure thing, Miki.” Alexei winks at me, then lifts Jax to stand.

As they head towards the door, I turn my full attention back to Ivan.

Alexei reappears, and I motion him to join me.

Dropping the gun, I grab one of the big Bowie knives off the side of the fallen guard.

“Get his other arm.” I gesture to Alexei.

“Do you think this is the end? You fucked up letting Tatiana leave. She’s so much worse than I am.” Ivan struggles between Nikolai and Alexei, but they hold him firmly.

“I’ve dealt with her before.” I hold the tip of the blade beneath his chin. “It’s your rotten soul that I’ll be happy to purge from his earth.”

Dropping my arm, I sink the point deep into his gut.

“You fuck.” Ivan exhales heavily. “You’ll never win.”

With a visceral sawing motion, I work my hand up, splitting his abdomen with every thrust.

“You’re wrong, Dad. This is me, winning.” Another plunge, and I tilt my weapon until it’s driving up into his ribcage, piercing his black fucking heart.

The anger fades from his face as he falls limp between Nikolai and Alexei.

They let him slump to the ground.

“Nice job.” Ben smiles and pulls out a couple of cigars.

“Good shooting. Thank you.” I clap him on the shoulder, then hold out my bloody hand for Sven to shake. “You guys came at the right time.”

“Thank Drago. He had us on standby and told us to wait after they left.” Sven pushes his hair back, and takes one of the smokes from Ben.

---