Page 18

18

OLEKSI

I’ve never bolted out of bed so fast in my fucking life.

One second I’m dead asleep, curled around Sabrina’s warm body, and the next—cold sheets. Empty space. And that creeping sense of dread crawling up my spine.

She’s gone.

Panic ignites in my chest, sharp and immediate. I throw off the covers and lunge for the door, heart thudding. For a few seconds, I’m convinced she’s been taken. Again. That they slipped past all our security, past my team, past me.

But then I hear it—low voices, murmuring down the hall. I follow the sound like a bloodhound. At the end of the corridor, where the staircase branches off in two directions, there’s a soft glow coming from the upstairs landing sitting area.

I stop just shy of the corner, lean in silently.

They’re huddled around the gas fireplace. Sabrina. Carla. Timofey. And from the angle of their postures, from the urgency in their voices, I know exactly what they’re doing.

They’re making a plan.

A plan without me.

Something hot and irrational burns in my chest.

Fear. Relief. And yeah, I’ll fucking admit it—pettiness.

When the hell did I become so fucking petty?

I draw a sharp breath, shove the emotion back where it belongs. It’s not about being left out. It’s the way I woke up to an empty bed. It’s the fire that lit in my chest thinking she’d been taken from me. Again.

I push away from the wall and step into the room.

“So what’s this plan we’re all not going to like?” I ask, my voice flat but loud enough to make all their heads snap toward me.

Sabrina straightens immediately. She looks surprised—guilty, even. Good.

I shoot a glance at Sabrina. She doesn’t flinch. She fucking knows.

Timofey looks at me. “We need Ergorov to admit what he’s done. To his wife. To Mariya. And…” His eyes flicker to Sabrina. “To my granddaughter.”

“You mean use them as bait,” I say, jaw clenching. “Not a fucking chance.”

“Yes,” he says. “Our trap. We make the hunters become the hunted.”

“And how the hell do you plan to do that?” Sabrina asks, before I can.

“By offering Yelena a bargaining chip,” Timofey says. “My oldest daughter is obsessed with finishing the perfect version of the formula. The one for gene enhancement. She wants it more than anything.”

“She wants to make the perfect human,” Carla adds darkly.

“Crazy bitch,” Sabrina mutters.

“And you’re thinking of telling her about Sabrina? Because in Yelena’s twisted mind, Sabrina is everything she’s dreamed of being.” My voice drops to a dangerous pitch. “You’re out of your fucking minds.”

“It’s the only way to ensure Yelena takes the bait,” Timofey says. “She’ll do anything to have Carla, Sabrina, and a child of yours and Sabrina’s—a prodigy. That is what will make her bite.”

Sabrina sucks in a sharp breath. “How did you know I’m pregnant?”

Timofey looks stunned. “Wait… You are really pregnant?”

Silence falls.

“Are you serious?” Syd asks, her eyes wide.

I look at Sabrina. She meets my gaze, then sighs and nods.

“There’s no putting that cat back in the bag now,” she says softly. “Yes. I’m pregnant.”

Syd does something I’ve never seen before—she actually skips across the floor to hug her, then punches me in the arm. “Well done, Boss.”

Lev grins. “Mazel tov.”

Clyde just smiles. “Congrats.”

“It’s not time for congratulations,” Carla snaps. “I told you both to keep this quiet. You cannot tell Yelena that.” She gives Timofey a scathing look before pulling out her notebook, opening it to a page, and snapping a photo, before handing the phone to Timofey. “This is what we use for bait. It’s the first section of the corrected formula Yelena has been chasing for twenty-seven years.”

“No,” Sabrina says, shaking her head vehemently. “You can’t give her that.”

“I agree with Sabrina. If Yelena knows you have this and have completed it,” Timofey’s voice trails off. “She will not stop coming after you, and it will not guarantee she will not kidnap one of you again.”

“Timofey is correct,” I say. “That will not stop her. It’ll make her worse.”

“I have a better plan,” Timofey says, leaning back and smiling. “We set a trap in their trap.”

“So they think we’re walking into their trap, but they’re actually walking into ours,” Sabrina clarifies. “I like it.”

“Then we bring the roof down on them all,” he says simply. “If we take them out at the same time, it won’t allow the other to escape or give them time to destroy any valuable evidence.”

“And while we are occupying them, my father will ensure each base that Valeska marked on the map is raided,” Carla adds. “That way, Sabrina doesn’t get exposed, our new little life growing inside her is safe,”

“And my mother is safe without Yelena getting even a portion of my mother’s complete formulae,” Sabrina finishes.

“I’m fine with that plan,” I say.

“When do we start?” Ivan asks.

“Everyone get ready,” Timofey orders. “Have a good breakfast. The plan goes into operation in three hours.”

Sabrina and I head back to our room. As soon as the door shuts behind us, I turn and lock it.

“What the fuck, Sabrina?” I ask, rounding on her. “I thought we agreed. No more secrets.”

“I didn’t want you to stop me,” she admits. “I was going to leave you a note.”

“Oh, good. A note,” I sneer. “Real considerate.”

“I’m sorry,” she says, eyes wide. “Please, don’t let us fight. Not when we’re about to go face a fucking hydra.”

My anger crumbles. I look at her—really look at her. She is stubborn, brave, reckless and willing to walk into fire if it means protecting the people she loves.

I yank her into my arms with a fervor that borders on desperation. She melds into me seamlessly, like a missing piece finally found. Our lips collide, and the fiery warmth of her body ignites a primal reaction within me, my desire surging to life.

I want to feel her bare skin against mine and tug her sweater up, yanking it up until it’s bunched under her arms, exposing the smooth plane of her stomach and the lace of her bra. My mouth leaves hers, trailing down her neck, sucking and biting until she’s whimpering, her head thrown back, her body arching into as a soft mewl escapes her throat.

I lift her onto the dresser with a grunt, her ass hitting the wood with a thud that makes her gasp. Her legs part instinctively, and I step between them, my cock already hard as fucking steel, straining against my jeans. I yank her jeans down her thighs, the denim scraping against her skin, and she kicks them off impatiently. Her panties are soaked, the fabric clinging to her pussy. I rip them off with a growl, tossing them aside.

I drop to my knees, my hands gripping her thighs, spreading her wide. My tongue drags up her slit in one long stroke, and she cries out, her fingers tangling in my hair, pulling hard. I bury my face in her pussy, my tongue teasing her clit with relentless precision. Sabrina writhes above me, her hips bucking against my mouth, her moans getting louder, more desperate.

“Fuck, yes,” she gasps, her voice breaking. “Don’t stop—oh God, don’t stop.”

I don’t. I suck her clit into my mouth, flicking it with my tongue until she’s trembling, her thighs clamping around my head. Her orgasm hits her hard, her body convulsing as she comes, and I lap it up greedily, not wasting a single drop.

I stand up, and her hands reach out, pulling at my shirt until I’ve pulled it over my head and tossed it on the floor. She runs her hands over my torso, making my muscles jerk from her soft touch.

I rip off my pants and slide between her legs, my hands gripping her hips as I pull her to the edge of the dresser. My cock is throbbing, desperate to be inside her. She reaches for me, her hand wrapping around my shaft, stroking me with a firm grip that makes me groan.

“Fuck I love your hands on me.” My voice comes out ragged before I pull her hands away and line myself up with her entrance, the head of my cock pressing against her slick folds.

Sabrina pushes forward, the walls of her pussy pulsing around it and I slam into her in one brutal thrust, burying myself to the hilt. She screams my name, her nails raking down my back as I start fucking her with a savage rhythm. The dresser creaks beneath us, the sound drowned out by the slap of skin on skin and her desperate moans. Her pussy is so fucking tight, clenching around me like she’s trying to milk every drop from my cock.

I grab her hips, pulling her onto me with every thrust, driving deeper, harder. Her pert breasts bounce with every movement, and I lean down to take one in my mouth, sucking hard on her nipple until she’s crying out again. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me closer, and I can feel her getting tighter, her walls fluttering around me as she gets closer to another orgasm.

“Come for me,” I growl against her skin. “Come on my cock like a good girl.”

She does. Her body shudders as she comes again, her pussy squeezing me so tight it’s almost painful. I fuck her through it, my own orgasm building with one last plunge a guttural groan rips through my throat as I spill my seed inside her.

I collapse against her, our foreheads pressed together as we both struggle to catch our breath. Sabrina’s arms are wrapped around my neck, and I can feel her heart racing against mine, her body quivering with tiny shudders as the last ripples of pleasure tickle her.

We stay like that for a moment—breathless, tangled, alive.

“I love you,” she whispers.

“You have no idea how much I love,” I say, brushing my lips over hers. “Don’t do what you did to me again.”

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, her lips trailing down to my chin, then my neck, her tongue flicking out to taste the salt on my skin. She nuzzles my ear, her breath hot and fucking filthy.

My cock twitches inside her, and I let out a low groan. Her hand slides down my chest, her fingers tracing the ridges of my abs before she palms my pecs, her nails scraping over my nipples. “Oh, fuck, baby, you’re going to have to stop that or we’re going to miss all the action.”

“This is all the action I want,” she purrs, her hips starting to move in slow, deliberate circles. I feel her pussy clench around me again, those tight little muscles flexing and pulsing around my dick.

“What are you doing, you little minx?” I growl, my hands gripping her hips trying to still her as my shaft is already starting to harden again, that warm, wet heat of her pussy as she massages me starting to drive me insane.

“Kegels,” she says with this innocent little smirk that makes me want to flip her over and fuck her senseless. “A woman has to look after all parts of her body.”

Her tongue darts out, running a hot, wet trail down between my pecs before swirling around each nipple, her teeth grazing them just enough to make me curse. “Oh, fuck,” I groan, lifting her off the dresser with one arm, my cock still buried deep inside her. I carry her to the bed, her legs wrapped around my waist, and lay us down, her body sprawled beneath me.

“I want to ride you,” she whispers, her eyes dark with hunger. I flip us over in one smooth motion, and she straddles me, her pussy sliding down my cock until I’m buried to the hilt. Her teeth sink into her lower lip as she starts to move, her hips rolling in slow, deliberate circles.

“Fuck, Sabrina,” I groan, my hands gripping her thighs as she rides me like she’s trying to break me. Her breasts bounce with every movement, her nipples hard and begging for my mouth. I reach up and grab them, pinching and twisting until she lets out a moan that goes straight to my cock.

Her pussy is so fucking tight, so fucking wet, and I can feel every inch of her as she grinds down on me, her clit rubbing against my pelvis with every thrust. “You feel so fucking good,” she gasps, her hands braced on my chest as she rides me harder, faster, her body trembling on the edge of another orgasm.

“Come for me, baby,” I growl, slapping her ass hard enough to make her yelp. “Let me feel that tight little pussy squeeze my cock.”

She lets out a scream as she comes, her pussy clamping down on me like a fucking vice, and I can’t hold back anymore. I thrust up into her, my member pulsing as I fill her with every last drop of cum.

We collapse together, our bodies slick with sweat, our hearts pounding in sync. My arms close around her, and I hold her until our breathing returns to normal.

“If I don’t get up now…” Sabrina teases and kisses me before sitting. “I won’t have time for a quick shower.”

I’m tempted to follow her, but I know what will happen in there, and we have to get ready for what’s to come.

Two hours later, we’re ready.

Boots on. Coats zipped. Weapons concealed.

We head out the front entrance of the palace.

And stop cold.

The grounds are crawling with RMSAD agents.

Sabrina’s hand slides into mine. “Well, shit.”

At the bottom of the stairs, two figures wait.

One, I recognize instantly—General Ergorov.

The other is a woman. Tall. Regal. Icy. Every line of her face screams superiority. She’s older than Carla, but there’s no mistaking the resemblance.

Yelena Zorin.

“It’s a full house,” Yelena says, eyes sliding over me, then Sabrina, then Carla. “Delightful.”

“Good,” Ergorov sneers. “Now we don’t have to look for the others.”

He lifts a hand.

“Take the three of them. Kill all the rest.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I say coolly. “You might want to check your messages first.”

“I don’t have time for games, Mirochin,” Ergorov growls.

Bing. His phone dings.

So does Yelena’s.

They glance down.

And freeze.

It’s footage from the collection Nadia and Valenska left. The one of Ergorov and Yelena fucking like animals in the lab.

“I think that’s a company policy breach,” Sabrina says sweetly. “And a pretty solid case for breach of marital contract too.”

“This?” Yelena sneers. “You think this will stop us?”

“Where is my daughter?” Ergorov cuts in, glaring at Sabrina.

“You have a daughter?” she asks innocently. “God, I hope not with my darling maternal aunt.”

“Where. Is. She?” Ergorov growls.

“Why don’t you ask your son?” Sabrina’s smile turns razor-sharp. “Maybe he’s got her chained up again, waiting to dole out another round of abuse.”

“Has Valeska been spewing lies again?” Ergorov snarls. “Mikhail would never harm his sister… her mother, on the other hand.”

“Talking about Mikhail…” Sabrina taunts.

Bing. Another message.

Yelena’s face drains of color.

She turns to Ergorov and hisses, “I told you to keep your son away from Sabrina.”

He snarls. “That video is fake.”

“Then you’ll love the next one,” Sabrina says, holding up her hand. “I wonder if this one is fake, too?”

A monitor on the lawn flickers to life, its large screen displaying a brutal video—the one of Evelina being chemically sedated by her husband and his lover while they plot to end Evelina’s life.

Ergorov’s face turns purple with rage.

“Where did you get this?” he roars. “Take the three of them—kill everyone else!”

He spins, ready to leave.

But the whup-whup-whup of helicopter blades slices through the air.

Three military choppers descend, troops pouring out.

“What the hell is going on?” Yelena hisses.

Timofey steps out of the house, flanked by armed guards.

And beside him? A man I’ve only seen in photos. Boris Petrovna. Head of the Ministry of National Security.

Chairman of the RMSAD board.

Ergorov turns ghost-pale.

“I would not do that,” Boris says, cold and loud. “Not unless you want to be executed for treason.”

The RMSAD agents hesitate.

Boris points. “Arrest them. General Ergorov. Dr. Yelena Novikov. And anyone loyal to their regime.”

Chaos erupts as soldiers flood the courtyard.

“You can’t do this!” Yelena shrieks.

“Oh, I can,” Boris says. “All RMSAD operations are hereby suspended pending full investigation. General Timofey Morozov will lead the oversight team. Dr. Carla Craft will be his second.”

Timofey’s jaw tightens. He nods.

“This isn’t over!” Yelena screams as she’s dragged away. “You’ll regret this! All of you!”

I watch as she’s shoved into a transport van, Ergorov beside her, red-faced and snarling.

And just like that—it’s over.

Almost.