Page 152 of Devotion

“Papa!” Vanya cries, tears in her eyes at the state of him.

The gore-soaked grizzly bear that is Pyotr takes one powerful limping step forward, wrapping Adil in a bear hug. Bones snap in that grip, Adil screaming as Pyotr throws his impressive weight forward.

Ero’s eyes widen, watching his master, his tormentor spray blood from his mouth.

We all watch as they fall, Vanya screaming, other Bratva shouting.

Fiero’s face contorts, his grip tightening, the gun raising.

But no one notices Pyotr’s hand, reaching out.

No one but me.

I see his eyes for a fraction of a second.

Right before I catch the gun he throws me.

I look my little brother right in the eye when I shoot him. Two times. In the chest. The pain of both shots burst through my ribcage simultaneously, my heart shattering.

He falls.

And I know I will follow.

Vanya looks up at me, her arms shaking, her feet trying to gain purchase, her ankle is broken.

“I love you,” I mumble.

“I love you, Shakal.”

Our fingers slip.

And a powerful hand clamps around her wrist, an arm around my waist to keep me from falling. A soot and dust coated mound of muscle heaves back, dragging us both to safety.

“I said save her, you fuckbrain.” Fyodor slumps down, his back to a pile of rocks.

“You came back for me. I just wish I had one last Dolph movie reference for you…” I’m sprawled out, still holding Vanya’s hand. She scoots closer, propping herself up next to me.

“I think we have beenPunishedenough for one day, no?”

“Oh! Oh! She didn’t!” I holler.

Right about the time I black out.

EPILOGUE: VANYA

“They’re waiting for us out there.”

“Let them wait,” I whisper, shifting against him.

“Right…oh. There…” Ciro hums, his eyes fluttering.

My nails drift lower, scratching…

“Wow…” he breathes, his body going slack. “I thought that itch was going to kill me.”

“I told you to bring back scratcher.”

“It doesn’t get into all the hard-to-reach spots.”

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