Page 100 of Marked (Russian Sinners 1)

“Get away from me.” I meant to sound harsh, commanding, but instead my voice echoed all the terror I felt. I was again that helpless little girl in the basement, watching my mother brutalized in her attempt to protect me.

A scream tore through my throat. It went on and on, making my throat raw. He backhanded me so hard, I saw stars and darkness threatening to swallow me. But then I heard it.

Dimitry’s voice yelling for me. The door of the warehouse blasted open so hard it was as if an earthquake shook the entire building.

I jabbed my elbow into his ribs just like Dimitry trained me yesterday, but it wasn’t hard enough to push him away. His instincts were unexpectedly fast for such an intoxicated person. His hand wrapped around my neck, squeezing harder as he used me as his human shield.

Dimitry stood there like one pissed off giant.

“Let her go and I might spare your life.” Dimitry’s voice was cold, not a hint of emotion. He held the gun pointed at the guy behind me and I didn’t dare to move.

“Dimitry, the Russian Sinner.” the smelly guy’s breath was on the back of my neck and I wasn’t sure what was suffocating me more. His hand or his alcoholic breath. “You finally joined the party. Great, maybe we get to kill you both.”

He squeezed my neck tighter and I was sure it would only be several seconds before I lost consciousness.

“Igor.” I heard Boris’ voice from a distance but my mind was already hazing over from the lack of oxygen. “Let go of Alexandra and bring her to me.”

And just like that his hold around my neck loosened. I hunched over, wheezing, as I attempted to get oxygen into my lungs. He dragged me over to Boris, all the while using me as his shield.

“I’m going to kill you, Igor.” Dimitry’s words were cold and calm, like he just announced tomorrow is Sunday.

Fury fueled my anger and before I thought better of it, I went into rage and my fist connected with Igor’s jaw.

“You fucking asshole. This is for my mother!” I spat out as his head snapped sideways in slow motion.

Igor was going to punch me right back but for some miraculous reason Boris caught his hand and stopped him. “Nyet.” He told him no.

“Boris, it’s over,” Dimitry must have inched closer while I went into my rage mode. “All your men outside are dead.”

He laughed, completely unconcerned.

“I have many more in here,” he retorted smugly.

And just like that we were surrounded. There were at least twenty men around Dimitry and another ten watching Boris’ back. The dread swirled inside me and my heart stopped in fear for Dimitry.

I went for another hit at Igor. But Boris caught my wrist and maneuvered me into a standstill. I was past the point of sanity. Fifteen years of rage and guilt boiled over.

“Let go of me,” I screamed. “He raped my mother over and over again. So did you. He was going to do the same to me.” I tried to hit Boris too but he was too strong for me.

“Calm down, Alexandra,” Boris commanded.

“Don’t you fucking tell me to calm down,” I screetched. “And my name is Anastasia. You killed Alexandra.”

He pointed the gun right at my forehead, and I instantly stilled.

I heard punches and grunts behind me and I was scared to turn around. I hoped Dimitry wasn’t trying something stupid. Like getting to me. And sure enough, he was there, shoving me behind his back. Making himself a target.

“Dimitry, stop.” I kept trying to get in front of him but he stood there like a giant, keeping me safe behind his body and facing a pointed gun.

“Interesting,” Boris muttered, giving signal to his men to stay back. “This surprises me.”

I had no idea what the hell he was talking about. But realization of our dire situation was making my insides shake. This utterly sucked. The odds were neither Dimitry nor I would make it out of this alive.

“Alexandra’s daughter and Dimitry Alexeyev,” Boris blabbed. “Your mother wouldn’t be too happy with your choice.”

“You know nothing about my mother,” I scoffed at him with bravado I didn’t feel.

It didn’t phase him at all.

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