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Then, with a sharp nod, my father signals to one of his men, who quickly exits the room.

My chest tightens. What the hell is he doing?

Footsteps echo down the hall, drawing closer. When they finally drag someone into the room, confusion grips me.

Why is she here? What does she have to do with this? And then realization slams into me.

No…it can’t be.

“Ludmilla?”

She clicks her tongue and rolls her eyes. “Leo, must you be so dramatic? Why you need to tell her?”

My father steps toward her, his gaze scrutinizing. “Are you ashamed for helping me?"

I trusted her. Loved her like family. And yet, this whole time, she was the enemy. She must have been feeding my father information this whole time. She betrayed us all.

But why? Why would she do this?

My hands shake as white-hot rage surges through me. My vision blurs, blood pounding in my ears.

If I had the chance, I’d kill her myself.

“No. Of course I am not ashamed, my love,” she purrs.

My love?

My stomach churns.

He drapes an arm around her. “You see, Ludmilla and I have been together many years now. I met her when I learned she was working for that pig. I convinced her she’d have much better life with me. Then, of course, we fell in love.” His grin makes me sick. “Isn’t that right, my darling?”

“Yes, very true. Your father is good man.” Her eyes settle on me. “You should always stand with family, Dinara.”

“I do stand with family, and that’s not him.” Disgust twists my face. “You really want to be with a man who bashed his first wife’s face in? What the hell is wrong with you?”

She lifts her chin defiantly. “I am not your mother.”

“Yeah, that's obvious.” My voice drips with contempt.

My father’s expression darkens with rage. “You do not speak to her like that.”

“Go fuck your?—"

The words die in my throat as gunfire erupts beneath us.

My father freezes. Then, he realizes.

They’ve found us.

A quiet sob escapes me as relief floods my trembling body. Konstantin. Cillian. They’re here. I know they are. We’re going to be okay.

My eyes pinch shut as the tears fall. I can't wait to see him, to throw my arms around him and tell him how much I love him. Something I wish I could’ve said before all this.

“Go!” my father barks at Ludmilla, and she disappears from sight. He grabs the weapon he gave Gregory. “Let’s go, Roman. We end this now. But Konstantin is mine, understand?”

Roman nods, cocking his gun.

“You stay with them,” my father orders one of his men.