Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
Nikita
I stared down at her, my chest heaving with the force of my emotions. Every fiber of my being wanted to break something, to lash out, to make her feel the same pain she had caused me. But as I stood there, watching her break down in front of me, something shifted inside of me.
I hated her for what she had done. Hated her for the lies, the betrayal, the way she had made me care. But despite everything, there was something else gnawing at me, something I couldn't shake.
I still wanted her.
"Look at me," I growled, my voice a low command.
She didn't move at first, her body trembling with the weight of her guilt and fear. But then, slowly, she raised her head, her tear-filled eyes locking onto mine. I could see the desperation in her gaze, the way she wanted me to forgive her, to make this all go away.
But I wasn't sure if I could.
"I don't know how to make you pay," I admitted, my voice rough, raw. "I should hate you. I should end this right here. But I can't."
Lily's lips parted, but before she could say anything, I grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her to her feet. She gasped, her body crashing into mine, but I didn't let go. I couldn't.
The fire inside me was burning too hot, too fiercely. I needed to let it out. I needed to take control of this situation before it spiraled out of control.
"You've fucked with my head, Lily," I whispered harshly, my face inches from hers. "You've turned me inside out, and I don't know if I can ever trust you again. But right now…" My words trailed off as I leaned in closer, my breath hot against her ear, my grip on her wrist tightening. "Right now, I still fucking want you."
Her breath hitched, her body trembling against mine. I could feel her heartbeat, fast and frantic, as her chest pressed to mine. And for a moment, I thought I might lose control completely. But then, just as quickly, I pulled away, forcing myself to step back, to break the connection between us.
I couldn't let this happen again. Not like this. Not while I was still drowning in anger and confusion.
Lily stood there, breathing heavily, her eyes wide with shock and some heavy emotion. I knew it mirrored what I was feeling.
But before either of us could say another word, a sudden crash echoed through the mansion, shattering the tension between us.
I froze, my body going rigid as I listened. Another crash followed, then the unmistakable sound of gunfire. My blood ran cold.
We were under attack.
"Stay here," I ordered, my voice sharp and commanding as I turned toward the door. But before I could take another step, Lily grabbed my arm.
"Nikita, wait—" she started, but I shook her off.
"I said stay here," I growled, my eyes narrowing. "I'll deal with this."
Without waiting for her response, I stormed out of the room, my mind racing as I tried to process what the hell was happening. Who the fuck would be bold enough to attack me here, in my own estate?
Petrov?
We'd interrupted some of his deals, killing his men along the way, but he deserved it for thinking he could make threats, for thinking he could touch Lily.
Was he finally making a move?
I moved quickly through the hallway, my senses on high alert. The sound of gunfire grew louder, more chaotic, and I knew we didn't have much time. Whoever was behind this had planned it carefully, timed it perfectly.
I braced myself as I rounded the corner, ready for whatever was coming. But what I wasn't ready for was the chaos that greeted me. Armed men flooded the room, their guns raised, their eyes filled with deadly intent.
A fucking ambush.
My men were fending them off, fighting fiercely for me, but it wouldn't be enough. I'd have to call for backup. More importantly—and this is what made my gut clench—I'd have to fight my way out.
With Lily.
The roar of gunfire, crashing through the chaos like a war drum, chased me as I ran back to the bedroom. Panic seized me.
I shouldn't have left her alone, not even for a second.
Every shot fired sent another wave of fury surging through me, but I didn't let it distract me. My focus was razor-sharp. I only wanted to get to her and keep her safe.
I burst into the room, and relief washed through me as I caught sight of her pacing, her arms wrapped around her body.
"What—" she started, but I silenced her with a sharp wave.
I strode to the closet and located my weapons stash. I pulled out two guns, stuffed some ammo into my pockets, then crossed the room to her and shoved a gun into her shaking hands.
"Defense," I explained. "You might need it. If you do, don't hesitate. Otherwise, just stay behind me. Don't leave my side. Got it?"
Lily stared at me with wide eyes, looking between me and the gun.
"Lily!" I barked, and she nodded several times, coming back to life. "Good. Now let's go."
I didn't know what we were about to face, but there was no backing down now. Lily was in danger. I had put her in danger. I hated that so much that I knew I wouldn't rest until she was safe again, the fear wiped cleanly from her face.
Listening hard, I crept back into the hallway, gun raised, my muscles taut. I shot a glance behind me, and Lily was there, as near to me as she could be. Her breaths were ragged, and she gripped the gun like it was her lifeline. The woman who'd come into my life with the intent to destroy it was now going to fight for her life by my side. The fucked up irony of it all didn't escape me, but I couldn't dwell on it.
"Stay low," I growled, pulling her closer as we pressed ourselves against the wall. "Don't fucking move unless I do."
She nodded, her face pale but determined. There was no room for defiance here. Not when we were surrounded by men sent to end us. And despite the fire still burning inside me— my rage at her, at everything—there was only one thing that mattered now: keeping her alive.
We pushed forward, moving through the hallway as more armed men flooded the estate. I picked them off one by one, each shot precise, fired without hesitation. Even though I could hear Lily's horror beside me, I didn't stop. I couldn't. These bastards had come onto my territory thinking they could take me down, thinking they could end me and take what was mine.
They were fucking wrong.
I heard Lily's breath hitch behind me as I fired another round, taking down a man who had been creeping around the corner. "You okay?" I muttered, not turning back to look at her.
"Yeah," she breathed, her voice tight, shaking slightly. "I'm fine."
Good. I needed her steady. I couldn't comfort her and fight off these bastards at the same time.
As we moved, I shot another two down, clearing the path. And then I felt it—Lily's grip on my arm tightening.
"Nikita, wait," she whispered urgently.
I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart thudding in my chest as I scanned the hallway ahead. Sure enough, another wave of men was closing in, guns raised, their steps quick and precise.
"Get behind me," I ordered, stepping in front of her without hesitation.
Before I could fire, Lily did something unexpected—she lifted her gun, aimed, and squeezed the trigger. The blast was deafening, the recoil sending her stumbling back slightly, but the man she was aiming at crumpled to the ground, his body hitting the floor with a sickening thud.
I stared at her, my breath catching in my throat. She didn't look scared. She didn't flinch. She just squared her shoulders and turned to face me, her jaw set with a determination that left me speechless.
"You can't do this alone," she said, her voice steady despite everything. "And I'm not leaving you. We do this together."
A mix of emotions surged through me—rage, admiration, confusion. But above all, something dark and primal snapped into place.
"Fine," I growled. "But stay the fuck close."
We moved as one, cutting through the wave of men trying to box us in. The gun in my hand was an extension of my body now, each shot precise, each movement calculated. I'd trained for moments like this all my life—born and raised in a world where survival meant keeping your enemies six feet under.
The moment I showed weakness, they'd capitalize on it, and we'd both be dead.
More men charged into the room, and for a moment, I thought we might be overwhelmed. But then, in a flurry of movement, Lily fired again, her aim deadly accurate as she took down the man closest to us. I shot another as my men covered us and shouted commands, just as angry and eager as I was to fill the place with bodies.
I wasn't going to fucking fall.
We moved through the mansion, taking out every last one of the bastards who thought they could storm my estate. Each man who fell only fueled the burning rage inside me. This wasn't just an attack. This was a message. A declaration of war.
But by the time I was done, I'd make sure the message they sent was returned tenfold.
Finally, the gunfire began to die down. The echoes of the battle faded into silence, broken only by the heavy breaths between us. The estate was littered with bodies, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood. I wiped the sweat from my forehead, my chest heaving as I surveyed the scene. It was over. We'd fought them off.
But there was no relief. No sense of victory.