Page 97 of Unveiled

My fist connects with his jaw. It only whets my appetite. “You son of a bitch!" I snarl and shove him into a glass table that instantly shatters. Glass showers down, and Anya screams. No one even looks our way.

He chuckles, getting to his feet as he brushes his sleeve across his broken lip, smearing blood. "I knew it," he murmurs. "That was a test… and you failed."

I step after him, but a heavy hand falls on my shoulder.

"Don't." It's Matvei, his eyes boring into mine. "It's a distraction. You know what it is. Distracting you fromwhatis the real question."

Makarov is gone.

Anya stares at me, her eyes wide.

"No one even looked over here," she says, shaking her head. “You punched him, broke the table and shattered glass, and no one even batted an eye.” She gives me a reproachful look. “Is this how you boys always handle things?”

Just when I seem to be making traction in understanding her, she throws me a curveball.

Matvei huffs out a laugh. “This is how we do things, Anya. Every guest here tonight is somehow affiliated with a family thatdoesn’t think twice about making a statement.” His eyes track the exits. “Stay close to Semyon.”

"Let's get some fresh air," I suggest, pushing away from Matvei to a paved area illuminated by moonlight. It seems to do the trick with my sisters.

Matvei walks away from us, but I don't miss the way his hand goes to his waistband—ready to draw a weapon.

“Can we go home now?” There it is again.Home.

“Soon.”

I can’t shake the feeling that something is about to happen, another puzzle piece falling into place.

I walk with Anya. The garden paths are dimly lit, shadows stretching across the stones. It's quiet here, the distant hum of the party fading into the background.

Something is off. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle. I inhale deeply as if the scent will give something away, but I can't catch it. Instead, I notice the way Anya's eyes flick to the shadows, the slight hitch in her breath.

Whipping around, I’m alert. Anger claws at my chest. First the bakery, now this. In my peripheral vision I note quick movement and a flash of metal. My instincts flare.

"Get down!" I snap, pulling her behind me as a figure emerges from the darkness. The first shot shatters the stillness of the night.

I shove her to the ground, shielding her with my own body as another shot rings out. Pain explodes across my shoulder, but I barely register it, adrenaline surging through my veins. I have to keep Anya safe.

Matvei’s huge, looming figure plows through the stillness. He pulls the trigger. Fire bursts from his weapon.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm hit," I say through gritted teeth. "Anya, are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Her voice is panicked. “What happened?”

I draw my weapon and shoot. Fire erupts from my gun and from Matvei’s. The attackers scatter, retreating into the night.

I could chase them, but that would leave Anya vulnerable.

"Get them. Get the fuck—get them!" I bark, my voice sharp with fury. I nod at Matvei, but he’s a mountain of a man, built for power, not speed. He chases after them, firing as he runs, but the bastards are already disappearing. Gunshots echo, but it’s too late.

This was no random attack. It was calculated. Designed to disorient us.

Anya gasps. "Oh my god, Semyon!"

I look down to see blood spilling onto my white shirt, onto the ground, onto my hands.Motherfucker.

Anya reaches for me, and my blood smears across her fingers, thick and sticky.

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