Page 105 of Thorns of Love

“I do.” Vasili always kept his promises.

Pulling out his own gun, Vasili wordlessly slipped out of the room.

“You hold on to me,” Illias ordered, all his soft edges gone. He was in boss mode now. Killer mode. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on to him. “Boris will lead us out of here.” He tapped his intercom. “And Vasili is hooked into the network. I’ll know if anything happens.” I gasped and he quickly added, “But we won’t let anything happen. To any of your brothers. We’ll get out of this.”

A terse nod and with that, he left the room, then took a back exit to the staircase ‘A’ where Sasha met us. My fingers trembled, but I trusted him. I trusted my brothers. We’d get out of here.

“Alexei is downstairs with the car,” Sasha hissed. “Boris is getting Vasili.”

“Branka?” I breathed.

“She’s already waiting for us at Konstantin’s fancy palace,” he said. “She’s the safest one right now.”

We rushed down the stairs. Every so often, one of the enemies obstructed our view. They wore masks. Sasha and Illias aimed and shot at the same time, each time putting two bullets into masked men.

“That fucking bitch, Sofia Volkov, has to be terminated,” Sasha muttered as we reached the parking lot. “There’s the car.”

Sasha pointed to the black Land Rover. Just as we approached, a few armed men tried to intercept us. As if one person, Sasha and Illias shot them both dead. The last one was shot by Alexei, behind the wheel.

“Get in the fucking car,” Alexei hissed.

“What do you think we’re doing?” Sasha growled. “Stopping for ice cream.”

I caught Illias rolling his eyes, but he wordlessly slid into the back seat, while Sasha covered him. Then once the door shut behind him, he got into the passenger seat and we were on the move even before my brother shut his door.

“Have you heard from Vasili?” Illias demanded.

“They’ve made it,” Alexei answered, relief instantly washing over me.

I was cradled on Illias’ lap, while Alexei drove like a madman through the streets of Moscow. The tires screeched each time the car turned, the wheels coming off the ground. I feared we’d eventually end up in a ditch on the side of the road. Upside down.

The memory of the last car chase flashed through my mind. A tremor rolled down my body, fear wrapping its hand around my throat.

“I’m guessing the cops don’t enforce traffic laws here,” I rasped, breaking the tense silence. My voice shook and with each second that passed by so did my whole body. My ears buzzed.

“Tatiana.” My husband called out my name, but his voice sounded faint through the bubble of panic. Slowly the world started to fade, taking me back to that night. Images of Adrian’s dead eyes were replaced with Illias’ and my heart sliced. It hurt to breathe. I wouldn’t survive losing him.

The buzzing in my ears increased.

“Look at me.” A clear demand. Firm fingers took my chin and our gazes met. “Breathe.” I gasped for air, my lungs squeezing tightly. My husband took my hand and pressed the palm against his chest. “Focus on my heartbeat.”Bu-bum. Bu-bum. Bu-bum.“That’s right. Hear it. Steady. We’re safe.”

The ringing in my ears slowly receded. The world came back into focus. I could hear my brother’s voice.

“What’s the matter with her?” Sasha growled.

“That’s right, moya luna,” Illias purred, ignoring Sasha’s glares. “Breathe. You’re doing good.”

I took a lungful of air, then slowly exhaled. Again. Then again.

Bu-bum. Bu-bum. Bu-bum.

And the whole time, Illias heartbeat drummed steady against my palm.

“What the fuck is happening to her?” Sasha hissed, worry etched in his voice and face. But I couldn’t focus on him now. I needed Illias’ steady heartbeat and the assurance in his eyes.

“Panic attack,” Alexei said in a flat voice. “Us being chased is probably not helping.”

“Well, get us the fuck out of here,” Sasha barked.