Page 117 of Darkest Sin

“I promised I’d protect you.”

“And you tried. And I love you for it.” She pulls back, wiping a tear away. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, let’s.” Denis smiles, knowing he’s won this round. But he won’t win forever.

No one does anything as Denis starts backing up and my sisters and mom follow. He grabs Ana and holds her close to prevent anyone from shooting at him.

“Natalya,” Mom says. “I’m so proud of you. Know that.”

“Mom,” I whisper. She can only give me a smile.

Denis and my family leave the church and I’m not sure when I’ll see them again but I do know, I will never stop fighting for them.

This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.

Mikhail pulls me into his arms and I cling tightly to him, seeking his comfort.

“Sorry about Denis,” Nico says, patting Mikhail on the back. “But you got your wife back. And I killed Cillian. We can all be happy.”

“But Liam got away,” Mikhail reminds him. “He’s going to be pissed that we killed his boss.”

“Sure. But that’s a problem for another day.” He nods at both of us before walking down the aisle. His men leave the church first.

But before Nico can leave, Mikhail raises his arm and points his gun at Nico’s back.

“What are you doing?” I gasp.

Mikhail ignores me as he fires his gun.

Nico shouts in pain as he’s shot in the back and falls to the ground. Mikhail grabs my hand and we run out the side entrance of the church before Nico’s men can attack us.

He flags down a taxi and we practically dive inside before Nico’s men swarm out of the church. He gives the driver the address to the safehouse.

“You shot Nico.”

“I did.”

“Is he dead?”

“I can only hope so. Now he and I are even if he survives. I was shot in the back. Now he’s been shot in the back.” Mikhail groans as he shifts around in his seat. “And I’m starting to feel the pain of having been shot in the back.”

“But you’re ok? You’ll live?”

He takes my hand. “Of course I’ll live. I’m not leaving you yet, baby. Not when I worked so hard to get you in my life.”

“I really thought you were dead.”

“Cillian is gone but your uncle is still going to be a problem. I could have ended him right there.”

“Not when he was using my family as a human shield. I couldn’t risk it.”

He sighs. “I understand. But we’ll have him to deal with and if Nico is alive, he’ll be pissed. And Liam is out there, probably wanting revenge. Hopefully he’ll go after Nico since Nico was the one to shoot Cillian.”

“So much uncertainty,” I murmur.

“But we’re together. And I will protect you. I always promised I would.”

I can’t help but smile as I lean over to kiss him. “And I promise that I’ll listen to you. I need your strength and power and commands.”