Page 139 of Claim

There’s more sporadic gunfire outside.

Fuck, I hope Niki and the boys are okay. My bastard father has already caused so much pain, I can’t handle any more loss by his hands.

“Do you hear that? That’s the sound of your men falling, one by one.” Ivan bends and grips my chin, but I smack his arm away. “Your scars didn’t heal quite as nicely as mine. That little bitch needs to pay for what she did to me.” He points at his own cheek where a pucker sits above his lip.

“It’s too bad she didn’t aim for your heart, but the target is too small.” I feel her shift on my lap.

A small moan escapes her lips before she opens her eyes.

She rubs the back of her head and looks up at me. “Mikhail?”

Relief floods through me. “Are you hurt?” I ignore my father.

Whatever he’s planning is nothing compared to the ache of having her unconscious.

“No, I think I just got the wind knocked out of me.” She glances around and cringes when she sees the mess of Zoya lying just a few feet away.

But she freezes when she sees Ivan.

“Galena, baby? Are you okay?” Ana calls out.

“Mommy’s gone,” she sobs.

Ana takes a deep breath. “Do you remember that game we played, when you hid from me?”

“Yes.” Galena’s voice is hesitant.

Ana stares into my eyes, and winks. “Do that one thing,” she calls out to Galena.

“What are you up to?” Ivan stalks closer, just as Galena twists in his arms and runs towards her room.

“Mayday!” Ana screams, but before the next can follow, Ivan cuts away, running out of the house.

“Go, Mikhail. End this.” Ana shoves at my arm, pulling herself away.

I bolt up and chase my father outside.

CHAPTER 61

ANASTASIA

My entire body aches.

What the hell happened? All I can remember is the shot, and falling, then saying the trigger words before the world went black.

It takes me another moment after Mikhail disappears before I stop feeling quite as woozy.

What do I do if Mikhail fails? I never want to go back with Ivan. I have to take care of my baby now.

No, I can’t think like that. Nothing will happen.

Mikhail has to win this.

Another gunshot echoes through the house.

I might be sick. Was that him?

He’ll come back for me.

---