Page 66 of Bound Vows
“Thank you,” she whispers against my skin.
“For what?”
“For showing me that our future is worth fighting for. For proving that what we have together is stronger than what brought us together.” She lifts her head to meet my eyes, and I see love there alongside the lingering heat. “For giving me something worth choosing.”
“Thank you for choosing me. For saying the words I never thought I’d hear again.” I stroke her dark hair, marveling at how it catches the lamplight. “For making me believe that redemption is possible and that some kinds of love are worth any risk.”
“I meant every word,” Maya declares. “I love you, Andrei Volkov. Not because I have to, not because I’m trapped, but because you’re worth loving.”
Before I can respond to this declaration that changes everything between us, electronic alarms begin shrieking throughout the penthouse loudly enough to wake the dead. Red warning lights flash in the hallway outside our bedroom, and I hear shouts as security teams mobilize throughout the building.
“She’s here,” Maya says unnecessarily as we both reach for our discarded clothes.
“Right on schedule.” I pull on my pants. “Though I had hoped for at least one peaceful night before the final confrontation.”
The alarms continue to wail as we dress quickly, and I make out the distinctive sound of multiple weapons being readied throughout the penthouse. Whatever Katarina has planned for her final assault, she’s about to discover that Maya Volkov is no longer a victim waiting to be rescued.
She’s a wife with two crime families behind her, and that makes all the difference in the world.
Chapter 29
Maya
Being yanked out of post-coital bliss by emergency alarms proves that married life with a crime boss comes with occupational hazards normal couples never have to deal with.
“How many explosives do you think she brought?” I ask as I hop into my jeans.
“Enough to level half the building if she’s as prepared as I suspect.” Andrei throws on his shirt and reaches for the gun he keeps in our nightstand. “I’m more concerned about the tactical advantage she gains by forcing us to fight on multiple fronts.”
The alarms shriek on as we finish dressing, punctuated by gunfire from the lower floors. Muzzle flashes reflect off neighboring buildings through our bedroom windows as Katarina’s assault team engages our perimeter guards.
“She came prepared for war.” I strap my backup knife to my ankle. “This isn’t just revenge. This is a suicide mission designed to take as many of us with her as possible.”
Before I can say more, an explosion rocks the penthouse with enough force to send picture frames crashing to the floor. The blast originates somewhere below us, and the building sways.
“She’s bringing the place down,” I breathe as smoke filters under our bedroom door.
“Not if we stop her first.” Andrei opens the door to find Max and Vincent rushing down the hallway with their weapons drawn. “Status report?”
“Katarina’s team breached through the parking garage,” Max barks as he checks his ammunition. “They’ve got the elevator shafts rigged with explosives, and they’re working their way up, floor by floor.”
“Casualties?”
“Two of our men down, but we evacuated most of the civilians before the worst started.” Vincent gestures toward the emergency stairwell. “We need to move fast. The structural damage is compromising the building’s integrity.”
Another explosion, closer this time, sends us stumbling as debris rains from the ceiling. I bite back a grunt as the impact aggravates my shoulder, but adrenaline overrides most of the pain.
“Where’s Katarina?” I demand, steadying myself against the wall.
Max rushes to the window and looks out at the city below. “Twenty-second floor, last we knew. She’s holed up in whatused to be building security, using the monitors to track our movements. Maya, you need to get out of here. Let us handle this.”
“Like hell I’m running while that psycho destroys everything we’ve built. She murdered Elena, betrayed Andrei, and tried to kill me. This ends now.”
“You’re injured, and she’s desperate.” Andrei’s tone carries resignation rather than authority. “Desperate people make unpredictable choices.”
“So do pissed-off wives who are tired of being hunted by deranged stalkers.” I check my weapon and move toward the stairwell. “Besides, Katarina expects you to protect me by keeping me away from the action. Let’s give her a surprise she won’t see coming.”
The emergency stairs fill with smoke as we descend toward the twenty-second floor. Each step brings the sounds of combat closer—automatic weapons fire through the stairwell along with shouts in Russian and Italian.
