Page 91 of Savage Reign

“Don’t think you’re off the hook,” she says, poking a finger at my chest. “You’ve still got plenty of work ahead.”

“Give me a few days to figure things out. I promise I’ll make this right with your family.”

Her eyes search mine. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Anything.”

“What’s the deal with that Igor guy? There were some seriously weird vibes when I interrupted the two of you in your office.”

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Igor Bocharov is… complicated. He’s a crooked politician. One that’s very handy to have in my pocket.” I shake my head. “We’ve partnered on a number of projects, but the biggest one is this casino deal. Well, was the casino deal.”

“You sure you’re ready to give that up? Maybe there’s a way you can keep it and make amends with the Syndicate.”

I pause in thought. For a moment, there’s nothing but the buzz of the city around us. Sofiya opens her mouth to say something, but the sound of a revving engine cuts through the air.

The sharp crack of gunfire follows.

Instinct takes over. I tighten my arms around Sofiya and drop us both to the ground, shielding her entirely as more shots ring out.

People scream, the street erupting into chaos. Tables overturn, glass shatters, and my guards move into position, guns drawn, scanning the area.

“Stay down,” I growl, keeping my body pressed against hers.

She’s trembling beneath me, her breathing rapid. “Niko?—”

“I’ve got you,” I promise her. My focus shifts to the street, catching a flash of black—someone on a motorcycle weaving through traffic.

I release Sofiya just enough to grab my weapon, aiming carefully. People are ducking under tables and scattering. There’s chaos all around, but I hone my focus and fire twice. The shots are precise, but the rider swerves, disappearing down a side street.

“Fuck,” I hiss, shoving the gun back into my holster. I turn to my guards. “One of you, follow him.”

Dima nods while Matvey jumps behind the wheel of the car I drove.

I look down at Sofiya, who’s still crouched on the ground, her face pale. “Are you hurt, moya sladost?” I run my hands over her body as my chest tightens with discomfort.

She shakes her head. “No. You?”

“No, but we need to get out of here now.”

I help Sofiya to her feet, keeping her close with one hand, my weapon in the other, as I guide her toward the waiting car.

She climbs in, and I follow, pulling the door shut behind us. Matvey floors the gas, and we speed off. Fuck, I just wanted a normal afternoon with Sofiya, but chaos follows me everywhere.

Sofiya exhales shakily. “Do you know who attacked?”

“No. But I sure as hell am going to find out.”

Her fingers twist in the fabric of her dress, her eyes searching mine. “Is this because of me?”

I run a hand down my face. “It doesn’t matter,” I say finally. “What matters is you’re safe, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

On the way back to the estate, I call Vadim to update him and arrange for him to meet me in my office. I also message Eva, still in Armenia, telling her to keep her phone close.

Sofiya is shaken, as expected, but she promises me she’ll be fine and tells me to deal with what I need to. Leaving her alone is the last thing I want, but being attacked while I’m out with my wife is nothing short of a declaration of war.

I’m pacing my office when Vadim arrives. His grim expression mirrors my own.

He lowers himself into the chair across from me, his shoulders stiff, as I hit the speakerphone button and dial Eva. The phone rings twice before her worried voice breaks the silence. “Nikolai. What’s going on?”

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