Page 36 of Bound to the Bratva
Our heels click against the pavement as our speed quickens.
"This way," Sasha says, guiding us to the gate at the back of the courtyard.
We're a good ways away from the front of the church, and yet I can still hear the gunshots ringing out in the air.
Lori, Emily, and Malia all look terrified, and I feel so bad for my friends.
None of them have a father who’s in the criminal world like mine is, so they don't understand what it's like to deal with these sorts of things.
Another chill runs down my spine, even though it's a bit warm tonight.
Still, I can't believe this is happening.
My wedding—which every little girl thinks is going to be the best day of their lives, has turned into a literal bloodbath.
Sure, I might not have gotten to choose every single thing that happened today, but I did want there to be some semblance of normalcy.
I glance back once, looking at the stone church, wondering what in the hell is going on in there, praying that Maxim is okay.
It's odd.
I shouldn't care so much and yet I do. In a way, I think I've cared ever since he ran into me on my girl's night out, since he protected me from that peeping Tom.
Who knows what kind of danger he's willingly walking back into, just to protect us.
The more I think about it, the more I do know I assumed the worst about him before meeting him.
I was so angry with my father and what he was making me do, that I hated Maxim because of it, when Maxim was never my enemy.
My enemy is my father and my God awful stepmother.
Can Maxim be so bad when he not only got me to safety, but made sure my loved ones were unharmed too? No, he can't.
My heart slams in my chest as we make our way through the iron gate.
Sasha leads us down the alleyway behind the church, constantly scanning the area for threats as we get further away from here.
Adrenaline continues to course through my veins, slamming down like runners in a 5k marathon.
Surely enough, I begin to feel numb.
I'm so overwhelmed by what's gone on that I lean against Sasha as we continue our trek down the sidewalk.
"Where the hell are we going?" Malia questions, pulling me out of my inner thoughts.
Sasha pulls us into the next alleyway and looks at the group of us girls. "Before the wedding Maxim and I spoke briefly. I know he bought a home for him and Aria. I was given the passcode to gain entry, in situations like these kinds of emergencies."
"So you're taking us to my new house?" I question, furrowing my brows.
Sasha nods. "Yes, I think it's the safest place for the group of you under the circumstances."
At least we’re all heading somewhere safe, and I can finally take a load off.
The only thing is, I’m worrying about Maxim and whatever the hell he’s going through back there.
Twelve
Maxim
