Page 96 of Darkest Game

After a while, Liam needs to rest some more so I agree to go back to Mikhail’s house to get some sleep. It’s been a trying day for me too.

My entire family returns to Natalya’s house, including Nico and Sasha. All I want is to snuggle with my dogs and feel safe for a moment.

I go into my room and wrap my arms around Luna and Bear and settle into the bed. They press their noses to me, letting me know that I’m not alone.

And that’s when my bedroom door opens and in walks Elaine.

It’s so shocking that I think I’m dreaming for a moment. But no, she’s really here.

And she has a grenade in her hand.

Chapter Nineteen

Irina

“How did you get in here?” I demand.

Elaine holds up the grenade. “I will set this off if you scream.”

“How did you get in here?” I ask again.

“I knew you’d come back here at some point. With Liam in the hospital, it was the only logical place. Since Denis killed all of Mikhail’s guards, it was easy getting in here. All I had to do was wait. I saw you come in here and now, here I am.”

“If you set that grenade off, we’re all dead, you know that? Yourself included.”

“I know. You have taken everything from me. My husband. I have nothing to live for after you’re dead. Might as well die alongside you.”

“Wait,” I say. “I’ll go with you. Just don’t kill my family. They had no part in this. I’ll go with you, Elaine. We can die together. Just away from this place.”

“Deal. Let’s get going.”

She makes me walk ahead of her. Luna and Bear follow behind.

We reach the foyer and run into Nico. It only takes him a beat to realize what’s going on and pull out his gun. “Drop it.”

“You really want me to drop this grenade?”

“Don’t,” I gasp.

My mom and sisters run into the foyer from the commotion. They all freeze when they see what’s happening.

“Don’t shoot her,” I tell Nico. “Not when she has a grenade in her hand. I’ll go with her.”

“I can’t let you do that,” Nico says.

“I can’t let my entire family die for me. I may not have chosen to be involved with Liam or Jack Finnigan but I am now. And I need to deal with Elaine. So let us go.”

“No,” Natalya gasps. “Irina.”

“I have to go,” I say, not looking at my sisters. If I look at them, I will break down and I won’t do what I have to do. “Elaine, keep walking. Nico, do not shoot.”

Nico doesn’t shoot but he does keep his gun trained on Elaine until she and I leave the house. My dogs continue to follow.

“Mutts,” Elaine mutters. “I don’t know why you took them. My husband hated them.”

“They just needed love. Now, let’s go. Drive me far away from this house and then you set the grenade off.”

“Or I’ll just do it right here.” Elaine pulls the pin out of the grenade.