Page 90 of Daddy Brigadier

Lexi wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan to lure out Petrov. I despised the notion of using Lexi as a lure, but Andrei insisted, and Elise, though reluctant, ultimately complied with his orders.

It tore me apart to pretend she meant nothing to me when the truth is I love my Krasotka. Now, I’ve put her in grave danger, and this motherfucker is controlling her fate. She will never forgive me for this. She has every reason to feel betrayed by me.

If he pulls that trigger, it will destroy me, and I’ll unleash my fury, tearing him apart without a second thought, even if it means sacrificing my own life.

His lips curl into a wicked sneer. “I saw the way you danced with her at your birthday party.” He sticks out his tongue and licks her cheek. “That was the touch of a man who has fallen in love.”

Petrov’s eyes flash with a cruel darkness as his finger tightens on the trigger.

A wave of dread roils across my stomach.

Suddenly, the sharp crack of a gunshot pierces the air.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

LEXI

Everything unfolds in the blink of an eye. The sharp crack reverberates through the air, and time seems to stand still.

My gaze quickly finds Valentin, his eyes flashing with terror.

Blood splatters across my face, and my stomach knots. Crimson stains my fingers as I wipe the blood away from my eyes. I exhale, a wave of relief washing over me as I come to the startling realization I haven’t been shot.

“Lexi!” Valentin lunges toward me, positioning his body to shield mine.

“I’m not shot,” I assure him, catching my breath.

“Are you okay?” he presses, his hands frantically checking me over for any signs of injury.

“It’s not my blood,” I affirm, steadying my voice.

Resting his forehead against mine, and with panic lacing his words, he whispers, “I’m so sorry.” He brushes his lips against my skin. “I’m so sorry. Shit, I never wanted you to be caught up in this mess.” He quickly unties my wrists, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders, holding him close.

I obviously should be furious with him for dragging me into this trauma, bringing back memories of that fateful night when I met Petrov. However, the instant the gunshot pierced my ears,my thoughts were solely consumed by him and the depth of my love for him.

A shot rings from the distance, followed by another, and then yet another. Shouts fill the air.

I turn toward the noise and spot Nikolai Savin, weapon raised, firing at Petrov’s men. Beside him stands my friend Ivy. From the sound of the barrage of bullets, they must have brought the entire Bratva Army with them.

“Fuck!” Petrov drops to the ground, a sharp cry escaping his lips as he snatches his gun and bolts from the room.

Valentin’s eyes flash with something cold, something sharp. “Petrov!” he snarls, bolting after him through the darkened warehouse, weapon gripped tightly in his hand.

I prepare to follow him, but Elise grabs my arm tightly, pulling me away from Valentin. Her eyes are filled with panic, and she breathes in quick, uneven gasps. “We need to hide,” she says, looking around wildly.

I shake off her grip. “Please,” she pleads, and for the first time in a long time, I see my big sister again. I nod and run behind her.

We sprint past Nikolai and Ivy, running over a corpse to take cover behind Valentins’ vehicle. Elise shields me as I duck low, covering my head with her arms.

Nikolai’s army unleashes a fierce barrage of gunfire against Petrov’s men. The deafening noise of bullets whizzing through the air matches the frantic pounding of my heart, drowning out everything else.

Out of nowhere, a silence blankets the room.

My ears are still throbbing from the last round of gunfire, every nerve on edge, eagerly anticipating the next shot. But the warehouse now stands unnervingly still.

The acrid odor of gunpowder, mingled with the metallic scent of blood and the pall of death, hangs heavy in the air.“All clear,” one of Nikolai’s soldiers shouts, breaking the tense silence.

“Elise,” Ivy shouts, scanning the area for us.