Page 54 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

Of course, it’s fuckingMiron.

I’m far enough away from the men running, but still reversing.

They realize they can’t catch me this way, so three of them stop, lifting their automatic rifles and taking aim.

Bullets smack into the bulletproof glass. If they can’t take me, they want me dead. It’s clear enough.

I lift the break, the car skids and spins to face the other way. I slam it into first gear and wheel spin, kicking gravel and dirt out behind me as I take off.

The car jolts as more bullets smack into it.

I drive like a maniac, weaving through back streets and bad neighborhoods, making sure they lose my scent.

I go all the way through the city, determined to make sure they aren’t still with me before I turn towards home.

The sky is turning orange and pink by the time I turn back onto the main road headed out of the city, my eyes on the rearview, waiting to see if they’re following.

They aren’t. I lost them a while ago.

It’s over.

For now.

But I doubt Miron is going to be happy with that failed attempt. He will be back.

My heart is still beating heavily, and my thoughts are looping over how much I hate that asshole.

It makes me realize something, though.

Working with Ardalion isn’t half as bad as it first seemed. I’m working with the lesser of two evils in order to rid myself of avery serious danger. A danger to me and my family. My mother, sisterand my wife.

Working with Ardalion is a small sacrifice to rid myself of Miron and his chaos.

I dial Jadon and update him about what just happened. He immediately sends a team into the city to patrol the streets and has additional guards waiting for me outside my property, ready to escort me inside and make sure that I wasn’t followed. I know I wasn’t, I made sure of it. There was no way in hell I was bringing that danger home to my wife.

But it’s good to be safe, to take the extra precautions.

***

The men escort me through the security gates and stand with their weapons ready.

I park the car outside the front entrance and switch the engine off. In the silence, I take several deep breaths. I’ve been on high alert for a number of hours now and my body is exhausted.

The sky is dark hues of red and purple when I climb out of the car and stretch my back.

Jadon walks towards me. “Sir, are you hurt?” he asks immediately.

“No, and I don’t want you to talk to my wife about this. I will tell her myself when the time is right. I don’t want her worrying.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll be around tonight, just call if you need anything.”

Tired, I head inside, looking forward to seeing her. A quiet dinner at home, a little conversation, maybe we can watch a movie together. I definitely won’t be taking her out tonight. It’s not safe.

“Ulyana?” I call into the house, but don’t get a response.

I wander into the living room, and there she is, asleep on the sofa with a book resting on her chest. Her delicate fingers still clinging to the page she was reading.

A warm smile breaks over my face and my heart flickers with affection.