Page 139 of Contract of a Billionaire

Kian came back to me, his breathing heavy. “You good?”

I took his hand into mine and squeezed. “Yes, you?” I sensed more than saw both Kian and Alessio stiffened. Kian nodded. “Let’s go home.”

Another man was already shuffling Salma our way. “Is the baby okay?” I asked her.

“Baby?” Alessio asked.

Salma moved her burka, hiding her baby girl underneath it.

“Jesus Christ, they had a baby with them this entire time?” It was Sasha’s voice that came through someone’s radio. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Not with Autumn. I don’t know whether to be impressed or not.”

“Be impressed,” Alessio gritted. I buried my face into his chest, then inhaled deeply. Sandalwood and spice. God, I fucking missed him.

“Is Kol okay? Safe?” I murmured.

“Always.” Alessio’s mouth pressed against my forehead. “Okay, let’s go,” he ordered, his breathing hard. All the men breathed hard. “There are more soldiers on their way.”

He didn’t have to say it again. Alessio’s hand in mine, we all ran. I ignored the burning of my tired muscles, the ache in my bones.

Despite the cold air and lack of winter clothes, sweat trickled down my spine. But Alessio’s hand in mine poured his strength into me and kept me going.

I had no idea how long we ran when I finally saw the helicopter. The moment the pilot saw us, he started it. The blades ran in circles. Faster and faster.

A figure jumped onto the ground from our right, startling Kian. His hand shot up, aiming at…

“Sasha?” I blurted out, shockingly.

“He’s a friend,” Byron told Kian. “A crazy one but still a friend.”

Sasha grinned, not sparing Kian a glance. That Nikolaev was fearless.

“Not bad for a man you’d watch having his heart carved out,” he drawled. “Huh?”

I didn’t have a lot of energy left but my cheeks heated nonetheless. I closed the distance between us and hugged him. Alessio followed, his towering frame right behind me, comforting and protective.

“Thank you,” I whimpered, sniffling. “Thank you so much, Sasha.” His big arms wrapped around me. “I’m sorry, I’m stinky,” I murmured my apology, all the while sniffing. Then hugging him again. “Thank you for– “

My voice choked, trembling. The words failed me. So many emotions shuddered in my chest. I swallowed. “I- I…” I wiped my face with the trembling hands. “I owe you big time.”

He nodded. “Maybe one day I’ll collect.”

I turned my head to Byron. “And thank you too,” I murmured, hugging him.

His one hand came around and he pecked my cheek. “Anytime. You’re family.” I offered him a shaky smile. “Now let’s get out of this place, my soon to be sister-in-law.”

We all hustled into the helicopter, Alessio’s hand never letting go of mine. I wanted to ask about Kol. My parents. Branka. But there was no way of making conversation. So I just held his hand and enjoyed his warmth.

Two hours in the helicopter.

We arrived at a private airport in Pakistan. Alessio instructed us to remain inside, leaving us with Sasha while he and Byron stepped out.

“Is everything okay?” I asked as I straightened up in my chair, my eyes flickering to Sasha, then back to Alessio. There were soldiers waiting for them in front of the large airplane, blocking our way out.

“Yeah, it better be,” Sasha said. He didn’t sound worried. “Or Byron’s cousin will be a fucking dead DiLustro.”

“Huh?” I didn’t follow what Sasha was trying to say. I had no fucking idea what he meant. I kept my gaze on the empty airport, a row of soldiers armed to the teeth as they stood at attention. Byron and Alessio only had handguns tucked in the back of their pants.

“Byron made a deal with one of the kingpins,” Sasha explained seeing my confusion. “Let’s say the little pricks came out very well.”