Page 51 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

M arissa

There was something even more special about the applause tonight. With the crowd on their feet, everything felt like a dream. I’d wanted to play Kazimir’s song even though I hadn’t known if I’d find the courage to do so.

Yes, the notes had flowed easily, but the piece was still rough. Usually there was no way the conductor would allow me to play anything that critics could find a flaw in. As it was, I’d had to plead with him. He’d agreed at the last minute only after I’d arrived.

Maybe learning about my brother’s murder had been the reason he’d changed his mind.

He certainly wasn’t known for being a kind man.

More like a taskmaster. I’d told a little white lie, insisting the piece had been written in Charlie’s honor.

While my brother had allowed me to be on this stage, and I’d played my heart and soul, the piece reflected the tumultuous emotions I felt about Kazimir.

Hearing his reaction would be priceless.

I blinked as I searched the crowd, once again tilting my head toward the private boxes. I thought I’d caught sight of him seconds before, but now, the seats were empty.

The roses were heavy in my arms and even though he’d sent them to me several times before, he’d done so as an admirer.

Not as a man who’d risked his life more than once to protect mine.

The thought had weighed heavily on me since the night before.

Maybe we were a little like oil and water, but he’d dropped everything in his life to come to my brother’s hospital bed.

I took a deep breath, almost instantly lightheaded. I’d been so nervous, I’d forgone eating anything beforehand.

As I took my final bow and turned, I took another whiff of the flowers in my arms. The scent was incredible. I’d made a promise to Kazimir, something else the conductor had frowned upon, but I’d return to the symphony one day.

When I didn’t know, but one day when everything settled down.

I headed behind the stage, immediately stopped by the music director. She was new to the team, hired only a few weeks before.

“That was incredible, Ms. Valentine. I understand you’re taking a leave of absence. Is there a chance I can change your mind?”

“I don’t think so. I have family business to attend to. I appreciate your kind words, Ms. Mullins.”

“Of course. Losing anyone is such a tragedy. We never forget and time doesn’t heal. But sometimes, death can provide a window of opportunity.”

What the hell was she getting at? Suddenly, the roses felt even heavier. “I’m not at that point yet.”

“No, of course not, dear. Well, when you return, I’d like to talk about incorporating your song into the portfolio.”

“I’d like that. If you’d excuse me, I need to leave. As the conductor knows, I had a previous engagement that I’m going to be late for.” I suddenly felt claustrophobic. A shadow caught my eye, movement that created a sense of fear. Everything Kazimir had drilled into me suddenly surfaced.

“Wait,” she said as she stepped in front of me. “Would you commit to coming into my office in a few days so we can talk about enhancing the arrangement?”

I’d never had a strange feeling around anyone I’d worked with before, but the fact she was keeping me just behind the stage was unnerving.

“I tell you what. I’ll call you after my brother’s funeral.

” My mouth was completely dry as the fear filtered into my muscles.

The little white lie had come so easily.

“I’m so sorry about your loss. I know how close you were with Charlie.”

Some movement caught my eye as a cold chill drifted down my spine. I took a purposeful step away, still feeling lightheaded.

This time, she didn’t stop me as I headed for the dressing rooms. Just outside, I searched the hallway for Kazimir. Suddenly, I’d never wanted to see anyone so much in my life. The skittering of terror increased and my stomach was in knots.

To calm my nerves, I took another whiff of the roses and opened the door. Doing so was comforting, as if he was standing right beside me.

Vibrations under my feet caught me off guard. I slowly turned toward the open door. The rumbles quickly increased. I placed the roses on one of the tables, moving toward the door.

Boom!

The sound was muffled. Was I hearing things? A sharp cry was followed by a rumble beneath my feet. Then I could swear I heard someone screaming ‘smoke.’ Was that possible? I hugged the wall, trying to figure out what to do. The air was suddenly suffocating.

Don’t panic. Breathe.

That was the first thing.

Kazimir must have heard the sound.

Another boom coming from another direction was followed by loud screams that were impossible to misunderstand.

I backed into the dressing room, rushing to where I’d placed my purse.

With my hands shaking, I jammed one into the clutch.

I should easily be able to grab my phone. I’d call Kazimir. He’d know what to do.

My phone wasn’t inside my purse.

I pulled the leather bag into the light, horrified I was correct just as the electricity went off. Now terror ripped through me. The sound of feet pounding on the floor came from every direction. People were shouting and I smelled smoke.

The moment I rushed to the door, musicians and several members of the backstage crew flew down the hallway. Gasping, I knew I had to get out of the facility. Another rumble turned into a much bigger explosion. Suddenly, the entire building began to shake.

Seconds later, the emergency lights popped on along with strobing red lights. I was even more nauseated than before, stumbling forward as my lightheadedness continued.

It felt like I was suffocating. Panting, I tried to search for Kazimir. He’d be here any minute. He’d fucking… walk through fire to save me.

A half laugh skipped from my mouth. Yes, he would. I was certain.

More screams cut through the melee, the chaos increasing as fear ran rampant.

When I tried to push my way through the crowd just to be able to run down the hallway toward the exit, I was knocked back and almost trampled.

“Marissa!” The loud voice boomed above everything else.

A face appeared, yet my vision was so foggy. What the hell was wrong with me? I hovered against the wall, trying to catch my breath.

“Oh, my God. Are you okay? Let me get you out of here.”

“Joseph?” I had to try to process the sound of his voice. My eyes were so foggy. The smoke was killing them.

He grabbed me around the waist, pulling me against him. “Yes. You’re safe now. You’ll be perfectly fine. I can get you out of here. I know another way out of the building.”

“Hold on. What’s happening?” His grip was firm, his fingers digging into my arm.

“There was an explosion. I don’t know, but you’re safe with me. You’ll always be safe with me.” His face was suddenly closer, his hot breath cascading across my skin.

Something was wrong. Very wrong. Was that a Russian accent?

“No. This isn’t… Where are you taking me?” As he jerked me in the opposite direction, I tried to pull away, but I felt so sick. My God. I couldn’t see anything clearly.

“You’re coming with me. I told you. I’ll take you to safety. Don’t fight me, Marissa. That won’t bode well.”

There was something wrong. Something was very wrong. Fuck. Fuck. “No. Someone is coming for me.”

“You’re right where you need to be.”

His words echoed, the tone different.

Menacing.

“No,” I struggled to say, but my entire head was fuzzy, my words were…

slurred. “No!” I pushed hard, managing to break the connection as a rush of people flew by.

Survival instinct kicked in and I spun around, tripping as soon as I did.

Even before I was pitched forward, a strong arm caught me, yanking me backward by several feet.

“You’re coming with me,” Joseph growled. “If you scream, I’ll be forced to hurt you. Trust me, you won’t like what I’ll do.”

Hurt. Was he kidding me? I bucked hard, flailing to try to get anyone’s attention. They were all too terrified, racing for safety and ignoring my plea. Maybe I wasn’t making a sound. I could barely see anything in front of me.

“Help! Someone… help me.”

A hand was wrapped around my throat, fingers squeezing until I couldn’t breathe.

“Enough.”

I was being pulled away from the others. No one had heard me.

“Help!” The lights continued to dim, my arms refusing to cooperate.

“Marissa.” Teresa’s voice somehow managed to pound into my ears. “What are you doing? Let her go. What the fuck are you doing?”

“Bitch,” he growled.

Wham.

I heard a terrible sound clearly seconds before a sharp scream. He’d hit her. She was down. I was lost.

No one was coming to help me.

As shadows pushed across my periphery of vision, I sensed I was losing the fight. Unable to move, I finally lolled my head and allowed the darkness to take me.

Just as I slipped into a sweet abyss, I envisioned Kazmir’s face. He would find me. He’d save me.

He’d…

Kazimir

“Get the fuck out of my way,” I yelled as I shoved through the throng of guests trying to escape. Smoke filled the air, but I knew the stench. Smoke bombs had been used to terrify the guests. Chaos had ensued, people trying to flee.

There’d been at least two real explosions, enough firepower to augment the terrifying situation.

The motherfuckers had created decoys, inducing panic. And I knew why.

I jumped over people, shoving some aside as I made my way toward the back. My brothers were right behind, the three soldiers told to sweep the area with everyone else. I had to get to her. Marissa was in grave danger.

Why hadn’t I listened to my instinct? Why had I allowed her to come here? What the fuck was wrong with me?

As soon as I reached the corridor leading backstage, the crowd of musicians racing to get to the front entrance blocked everything.