Page 2 of The High Priestess

Suddenly, something explodes somewhere behind us, and it has Dad scurrying into a space between two big crates to take cover while I let out a startled shriek.

Glancing behind me, I see Santiago helping Dominik up from the floor. My eyes dart over them, but luckily, they didn’t get hurt by the blast.

When Enzo and Leo catch up to Dad and me, I feel a trickle of relief ease some of the tension in my body.

Enzo gestures toward an office that’s situated near the front entrance. “Pavlov is probably in there.”

“We don’t have the element of –” Leo’s words are cut short as my father storms closer to the office, shouting, “Pavlov! Get out here so I can kill you.”

“Jesus,” I whisper while shaking my head.

“It’s a fucking miracle someone hasn’t killed your father yet,” Enzo growls.

I know.

Letting out a sigh, my fingers clench around the handle of my gun as I take a step forward so I can try to talk some sense into my father.

Suddenly, bullets slam into Dad’s bulletproof vest, sending his body falling backward. I can’t even manage a scream while I dart forward, intense worry gripping my heart.

Gunfire erupts as I drop down to my knees beside Dad, and as I press my fingers to his neck to feel for his pulse, Leo stops beside me, saying, “The bullets hit his vest. He’s just out cold.”

Because I’m inexperienced, I’m unable to find Dad’s pulse, but I do notice his chest rising and falling. I let out another sigh as I slowly push myself up on my feet.

At this rate, Dad will get himself killed in no time.

I glance between Enzo and Leo, who are walking toward the office where the gunfire has stopped, and realizing I have to avenge my father being shot at, my stomach fills with lead.

I’ve never killed anyone before.

Seems my luck has run out.

My legs feel heavy, and my palms are sweaty as I head toward the office. I hear Pavlov say, “You can’t beat the bratva. We’ll just keep coming.”

As Santiago, Leo, and Enzo enter the office, Santiago mutters, “And we’ll keep beating your asses.”

My stomach is a tight ball of anxiety and fear, and my heart hammers against my ribs.

If I don’t kill the Russian, everyone will think I’m weak. I have to do it.

Stepping into the office, I notice a body to my right as I train my gun on Pavlov who’s missing fingers. The bloody sight makes my stomach roll.

God. Don’t puke in front of the men.

Mustering all my courage, I focus on Pavlov, but before I have to force myself to take the shot, Dominik growls, “This kill isn’t yours.”

Oh, thank God!

Intense relief pours through me, but having to keep up the act, I hiss, “He shot at my father.”

“Who’s just out cold,” Leo reminds me. “You need to fucking calm him down, or he’ll get us all killed.”

Moving closer to Dominik, Santiago asks, “Mind if we play a quick game?” Still gripping my gun tightly, I watch as Santiago pulls a stack of black cards from his pocket. “Whichever card I pull is the way we kill the fucker.”

Seriously?

I stare at Santiago, not sure if he’s insane or just playful by nature.

“Really?” Looking annoyed, Dominik mutters. “You want to do this now?”

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