Page 119 of Sinful Scars

“Don’t get fucking smart with me. I wouldn’t lose any sleep over having to put a bullet between your eyes?—”

Elle moves to step between me and Alexei. “That’s enough!”

I hadn’t even noticed that I’d stormed back down the stairs toward him, my hand now resting on the handle of the gun tucked into the waistband of my pants.

But Elle reaches out a hand and presses it against my chest, stopping me in my tracks. “I think we should get out of here before Igor comes back.”

Alexei locks his gaze on mine. “I agree, but that doesn’t mean this is over.”

I find that I can’t look away.

The wave of grief that hits me as I take in all the features that are so similar to my own has my chest tightening.

It’s the first time I’ve ever trulylookedat Alexei, and despite his clean-cut esthetic and lack of scars, I can see myself in him.

My brother.

Myenemy.

29

ELLE

Anger radiates offboth Lev and Alexei as I stand between them. The underground bunker was cramped before, but having two fully grown men locked in a standoff with each other is making the place feel suffocating.

I glance between the two of them. “Can we please get out of here?”

Their similarities are a little unnerving. I can see so much of Lev in him. Particularly, in the eyes.

I know Alexei is entitled to hate his half-brother for what he’s supposedly done, but I don’t want him to do something that he might later regret.

“Please, Alexei.”

Alexei’s expression softens as he looks at me.

I’ve never found him as intimidating as I probably should, given his reputation. But he’s never given me a reason not to feel comfortable around him.

I also know he would do anything to protect his family, including putting a bullet in Lev’s chest, so the sooner we can get this all sorted out, the better.

“I’m taking you back to Forest Hills. Lucia is waiting for you there.”

My stomach knots at the mention of my cousin. I’ve put her through hell over the past few weeks, and I really want to make things right between us again.

Lev looks at me. “You should go before Igor comes back.”

“Don’t even fucking think about it.” Alexei takes another step forward. “You’re coming with us.”

Lev’s fingers flex around his gun.

“Come on, Lev.”

It’s probably not such a bad thing that I’m in the middle of them. Though I know if they really wanted to brawl, it wouldn’t take much effort to knock me out of the way.

His eyes flick to mine, and I silently plead with him to follow along. I’m all too aware of what likely waits for us when we get back to Alexei’s place, but at least we’re being given a chance to reason with the Koslovs.

I’d face them over Igor Ivanov any day, and Lev seems to realize that too as he dips his chin.

Lev takes his gun and tosses it on the ground without a word before turning and heading up the stairs.

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