Page 132 of Hunt Me

“Because he was the only person in your life other than your family who mattered to you. And because he had something we wanted. And we took it.”

My laugh continued. “You mean a corrupt file and a hacked computer system? What? Weren’t you told? No, I guess you were too busy killing one of your own men and attempting to frame me. Too bad you underestimated Mayor Rork.”

He narrowed his eyes briefly.

“He’s no longer under your father’s thumb, Connor.”

I glanced quickly at Bristol, her eyes shimmering with several emotions. I wanted so much to tell her that everything would be alright, but we weren’t out of this yet.

There was nowhere for the fucker to go, yet he was determined to destroy my life. When he lunged for Bristol, snaking his arm around her throat, I took a deep breath. He had another weapon. Of course he did.

“This is getting old, Connor. It’s time for this to end.”

I aimed the weapon directly at his head and all he did was smile. “If I die, I’m taking her with me.”

In the world I lived in, marksmanship was everything. Sadly, I was somewhat out of practice. Gone were the days when I spend hours at the shooting range or on required tactical missions as taught by Sergio. I’d become legitimized, a businessman who was more likely to get a papercut than to be gunned down in a back alley.

Yet some training was like riding a bike.

When things became dire, the ruthless savage I’d been trained to be kicked in. With a single flash of my eyes toward Bristol, she responded as I’d hoped.

She slammed her foot into his, immediately jamming her elbow into his stomach as I got off a single shot. Not a killing blow, but one meant to put him on ice. Yet at the same moment all time seemed to stop, motion moving so slowly I was caught up in the line of sight.

As he fired a single shot directly at the woman I loved.

“No!” I lunged forward, pitching us both to the floor. Footsteps were behind me, men shouting as I covered her with my body.

The same way I had twenty plus years before.

I turned my head as Kazimir and Alexsey ripped Connor off the floor. The bullet had caught him in the shoulder, but the man would live to serve out his time.

Which was exactly what he deserved.

I rose onto my elbows, peering down at her. She was still breathing. “My perfect angel.”

“Mikhail,” she breathed, her eyelids fluttering open.

“It’s okay, baby. Everything will be okay.”

“What’s wrong, brother? Need some practice,” Kazimir teased. He issued a hard punch into Connor’s chest before he and Alexsey dragged him toward the exit.

“Fuck you,” I hissed in return before pulling back and cupping Bristol’s face. Her eyes were closed, her lips pursed and the rush of emotions I felt sweeping through me was unusual and up until now, unwanted.

When she opened her eyes once again, a single tear slipped past the corner, rolling slowly down her cheek to her long hair. In this light, she appeared more like an angel than ever before. I brushed my hand down her cheek, gathering the single salty bead. As I brought it to my mouth, her upper lip quirked.

“You saved me. Again.” Her voice was soft and sweet, completely unlike the rebellious woman who refused to allow me to get away with anything.

“Yeah, just doing my job.”

“Uh-huh. You’re a hero.”

As I helped her to her feet, I shook my head. “I’m no one’s hero, Bristol.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You’re my hero. My very personal, gorgeous, dangerous hero.”

She pressed her hand on my chest as I lowered my head. I kept my mouth just away from hers for a few seconds until I could take it no longer, crushing her mouth with mine.

It was true what they said about love.