Page 102 of Owned By Shadows

It doesn’t take long before we’re at the front gates, which are open, and Rowan instructs Dima to drive through them, stopping just as the mansion comes into view. I don’t suppress the gasp that falls from my lips, the front a mess with bits blown off.

“Alexei and his men have left. They’ve put Sergi’s men inside,” Rowan tells us, handing Nik his phone. “When you press that button, the explosives that I’ve laid throughout the ground floor will go off, igniting the accelerant that Alexei’s men added, and no more Petrov hellhole.”

Nik takes a deep inhale, then looks up at me.

“Do it, Nik. Eradicate his memory for good,” I say, my voice a rasp but unwavering.

With another deep breath, Nik looks out of the window at the mansion, then back at the screen and presses his thumb on it. Seconds later, an explosion rocks the van, and the mansion implodes, falling in itself, and fire engulfs the remains.

We stay and watch for a little while, after Rowan assured us that Alexei made sure no authorities would come to investigate. It’s cathartic, and even though my heart still aches for the loss we’ve suffered, a part of it is healed seeing the place of my nightmares is no more.

“Can we go home, please?” I ask quietly, and they all turn to look at me, Hunt’s face softening.

“After we get you and Novak checked out,” he insists, placing a kiss on the top of my head, and I sigh.

“I’ve organised for a private hospital to take you in, Iris,” Andrei says from the front, and I give him a grateful look. “So they will just check you over, and provided everything is okay, you can go home.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, my body weary and my heart sore.

Novak makes a cute baby sound, and I look down at him, in my arms, a fresh blanket over both of us. It still amazes me he’s finally here, even if the cost was higher than any of us knew it would be.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Rowan interjects into the silence as we drive off, and I glance up at him. His face has that crazed smile I just know means something wild is about to happen, and honestly, I could use the distraction. “I got you something.”

My brows furrow as he reaches into one of his pockets and pulls out a clear plastic sandwich bag with what looks like raw meat in it. My eyes bug out of my fucking head when I make sense of what I’m seeing.

“Is that…”

“Sergi’s cock and balls, yep,” he states proudly, turning the bag and gazing lovingly at it. “I took them while he was awake, so he felt every slice.”

“Jesus fucking Christ, Rowan,” Hunt hisses next to me, shifting in his seat like he wants to protect his own manhood.

I giggle, and Rowan’s eyes light up. “Did he scream?”

“Like a fucking piggy.” Rowan beams, sitting up taller.

“What are you gonna do with them, brother?” Roman asks, his head resting on my shoulder, his arm across me, holding Novak too.

Rowan cants his head to the side, studying the bag. “Might pickle them for a bit, keep them on a shelf in my trophy room.”

“Trophy room?” I question, and he gives me a smirk.

“Of course. I mean, does it even count if you don’t take something from the body?”

A very unladylike bark of laughter escapes me. “I love you, Rowan Kent.”

“Love you too, Lamb,” he replies, tucking the bag back into his vest. “And once we get back, and you’ve rested up, I’ll show you my room. Tell you and Novak about all the wicked men I’ve sent to their deaths and how I did it.”

Some people might be appalled at his words. Some might even call him a danger to society. But if he’s making the earth a safer place for his family and everyone in it, is what he’s done really so bad?

In my books, no, but then again, maybe I just like my men a little morally grey.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

ONE YEAR LATER…

“THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR” BY CALVIN HARRIS FEAT RIHANNA

IRIS

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