Page 56 of Reign

“My darling girl. What started out as wanting Dominic to kill Nikita as punishment for my stolen money and a way to keep my secrets and fulfill my debts, became AntonovneedingNikita dead to protect his title as king of the Bratva here in Miami. Since Antonov and I were already in business together, this seemed the easiest way to solve all of our problems.”

So Dominic had been right.

“You wanted Dominic to kill Nikita, Antonov to kill Dominic, and what about me?” I have a sick feeling of dread pooling in my stomach.

“You, my dear, are to wed Alexei. He paid a very handsome price for you and as the wife of the future king, you’ll be untouchable.”

I almost vomit at how sincere he sounds. Like he’s doing me a huge favor.

I turn the sweetest smile to Alexei – it’s strange to think of him as something other than Adam – feeling like an idiot for sticking up for him and for excusing his weird ass behavior all those times he seemed to find me alone. It registers just in this moment he was trying to grab methenbut was stopped by Dominic once and Camila the second time. “While I’m sure you’re lovely, I’m already married and polygamy isn’t accepted in this state.”

Antonov levels his weapon at Dominic, a sneer painting his features – I guess he isn’t used to women talking back. “Then I’ll have to unmarry you.”

“NO!” Without thinking about anything other than stopping that bullet, I launch myself at Antonov and all hell breaks loose. As soon as I connect with his body, I push his arm wide, ensuring he misses Dominic with his shot. Reaching for my knife I hear Bea’s beautiful voice again.Aim to kill.

It’s either him or me and until I’m dead, I’ll fight with everything I’ve got. I grasp my knife firmly and yank up to pull it loose before sinking it into every part of Antonov’s flesh I can find. I hear him grunt before he smacks me hard across my cheek. It’s enough to get me off of him, but I come right back, not caring about the pistol in my face.

See you in hell.

I aim higher and swipe the blade across his body, hoping to connect with something vital. He’s still moving despite the thin line of red appearing at his throat. I pull back, a wild woman on the brink of insanity, and drive the knife in again and again and again, taking full advantage of his pause in movement.

Eventually, he stops moving altogether and I’m coated in his blood. At some point, the handle slipped in my grasp and I held on to the blade as I plunged it inside him, our blood running together.

I sit back, staring at the mangled mess in front of me before the familiar sensation of being pulled under begins. I don’t even fight it as the ringing starts in my ears and my vision closes in.

I briefly think to myself,I love you, Dominic,before the lights go out.

Twenty-Four

Casper/Dominic/Casandro

WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY doing here? Why does Diego have a gun pointed at Libby? There’s too much to process but while I’m trying, I feel something slithering across my wrists. I don’t dare move.

Nikita and I are on our knees in front of the couch. The same couch they laid Camila on after knocking her out with the butt of a gun. Which they’ll pay for with their lives. All eyes in the room are on Mateo, Libby, and Diego – who shockingly still has a gun, granted it’s pointed at my wife. I know Camila can’t reach Nikita’s wrists without giving away the fact that she’s conscious again, so I can only hope and pray Diego is actually on our side. Apparently, he’s a much better actor than I gave him credit for.

Mateo continues talking, explaining his grand plan – he always did love a good summary – when Antonov points his gun right at me. I can’t move faster than a bullet, and I wouldn’t move anyway because Camila is behind me, but as I come to terms with my own death, Libby throws herself at Antonov, knocking him over.

That’s my cue.

I flash a quick look at Diego and see him nod. Expelling a sigh of relief, I reach up and grab the pistol he tosses to me from his hand. He then uses both hands to quickly get Mateo in check and keep him out of this fight. With a log of a forearm around Mateo’s throat, Diego grabs Mateo’s gun and fires two shots off at two of the guards, using Mateo as a shield. At the same time, the boat rolls heavily to one side, sending the first man falling into the guard behind him.

I fire off a shot at the guard closest to me and yell for Camila to untie Nikita and take cover behind Diego who’s got Mateo in a chokehold. Nikita’s on his feet in an instant, barreling toward Alexei when a shot rings out and he stops in his tracks - which is no small feat considering the boat is rocking heavily in its slip as the storm rages on.

“God fucking damn it!” I roar as I see Diego’s grip on Mateo start to loosen and red begins to run down his arm.

I spare a quick glance at Libby who is still stabbing the lifeless body of Antonov.

Atta girl.

Nikita pistol whips his cousin, snapping his head back before shooting him point blank in the chest.

All that’s left is Mateo who’s slowly gaining ground on Diego’s weakening grip.

“Camila, are you okay?” I ask her while training my gun on Mateo. The boat is loud and my ears are ringing from the close proximity of the shots. The smell of blood and gun powder is thick in the air.

“Yes,” she replies, albeit a little shaky.

“Put pressure on Diego’s wound. Sit on it if you have to but get that bleeding to stop,” I bark. His eyes begin to close as he slumps to the floor. I can see the entry wound just above his vest. The placement isn’t good.

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