Page 80 of The Russian's Kidnapped Bride
It comes from somewhere behind them.
At once, the guard jerks forward as blood trickles from his mouth. He coughs once, catching Aldo by surprise. Everyone freezes.
As the man falls forward, slumping against the ground much like Maxim did, that’s when we see him.
Roman.
He doesn’t utter a word. Instead, he gives his brother a look that says it all.
Move.
That brief moment of stillness is all he needs.
In a blur, Mikhail raises his pistol, aiming at Aldo before squeezing the trigger.
His gun cracks, echoing between the shipping containers flanking us. The bullet pierces his chest, and he fires another for good measure.
Aldo’s body flinches from the impact of each, and before I can fully register it, he, too, hits the ground with a sickening sound.
He stops moving.
Roman glances between the two of us, seemingly noting that we’re both alright, and at the same time, more Lukov men move in, surrounding us from all sides.
Standing there, I can’t manage a single word, or even a thought for that matter. The shock grips me so tightly that everything else fades into the background. Every step and uttered word turns into nothing more than a muffled sound.
I only register as Mikhail turns to face me, eyes full of worry despite being edged with relief.
In just a step or two, he’s there, wrapping his arms around me without hesitation. He pulls me closer, burying his face in my hair. “Lily…are you alright?”
Despite my trembling, I nod, trying to keep myself upright. Trying to stay balanced.
As Mikhail holds me tighter, I feel the coolness of tears running down my face, and I realize I’m crying. Not forcefully or with any intense pain, just silently, as if I’ve been holding it in for too long.
I can’t help it while everything hits me at once—the fear, the helplessness, the noise, and the sheer chaos.
It’s more than I’m used to and more than I’ve ever been willing to witness.
“Hey, look at me,” Mikhail says gently, cupping my face with both hands while brushing his thumbs against my cheeks. “You’re safe now…I’ve got you.”
Nodding, I know it’s true, but it takes another moment for it to fully sink in.
“This was never supposed to happen,” he murmurs, lightly pressing his forehead to mine. “You were never supposed to see all of this…I’m sorry, Lily.”
Those words make my heart clench, and my chin tremble. The reassurance feels like a balm I didn’t know I needed. But even while shaking and clinging to him, I believe him.
“Come on, I’m getting you out of here,” Mikhail says with a note of finality that soothes me enough to get my legs working again.
He leads me out of the container maze while his brothers and their forces lock the place down. His arm is firm and protective around me while he guides us both out.
The lot is still humming with energy and bodies, but at the very least, most of the living ones are Lukovs, and it all begins to fade while we leave.
Without any prompting, Mikhail helps me into the vehicle, pressing a gentle kiss against my temple. His hand rests on my stomach idly before moving to the driver’s seat.
The way home is quiet, but that’s exactly what I need, and I have the feeling he already knows that.
All the while, his hand rests on my thigh, and the smell of his cologne keeps me locked in the present. His touch reminds me that I’m safe.
Even if everything has changed, he is still a constant. This complicated thing between us is, too.
