Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
18
OLIVIA
I jerk awake when a hand covers my mouth. The need to scream almost overwhelms me, but I stop myself because I can smell Sergei all around me, feel his body pressed to mine. His mouth comes to my ear.
“Someone is here.” Slowly, I roll over to face him. He might understand the question in my eyes because he answers without me uttering a word. “I don’t know who it is.”
I nod in understanding.
It’s either one of two families. My own, attempting to rescue me, or it could be Sergei’s family coming to collect me because Sergei went against his father’s orders. It’s really an even split between the two. Either way, this scenario is not good because whoever it is, they aren’t announcing themselves. They are creeping in, and Sergei somehow sensed it.
He releases his hold on my mouth to slip from the bed. He tosses the boxers and shirt to me from off the floor. I put them on quickly, trying not to make any noise. Sergei dresses faster than I do. He’s already clothed with a gun in each of his hands. He doesn’t hesitate to offer one of them to me.
I stare up into his dark eyes. This gesture is way more than an I love you. It’s trust and loyalty he’s handing me. He expects me to be at his side against whoever might be closing in on us, and I know it could be my family. The cool metal slips into my hand.
Gently I cock it back enough to see if there is a bullet in the chamber, not wanting to pop a bullet out that I might need. I see that it’s ready to go and softly let the chamber slide back into place.
Sergei pulls out his phone, his finger sliding against the screen. I see two men in all black with ski masks as they slip up a stairway I didn’t know existed.
“It’s my brothers,” I tell him. I can tell by their size and the way they move.
When I see one drop to his knee to pick the lock in record time, I know it’s Vincent. My heart starts to pound. A million different outcomes race through my mind. I’d rather it be his family right now. Because I know without a doubt my brothers are not just here to collect me. They’re going to kill Sergei. I try to move in front of Sergei, but he pulls me back. Unlike me, my brothers won’t hesitate to put a bullet in a Taletti.
I try to fight him, but I know I’m not going to win. Sergei tosses his phone onto the bed when Vincent pops the lock and opens the door. What I thought was a bookcase in the main living space was really a door.
“I’m okay!” I scream out. “Let go.” I yank as hard as I can from Sergei to rush in front of him. I don’t get far. The bedroom door is open. Sergei’s arm wraps around my waist, pulling me into him. My back is flush to his chest as my brother comes around to the bedroom door. I lift my gun toward them.
The weight of the situation threatens to take over, but I keep my arm steady. I know this is the only way to prevent any of the men I love from dying today.
All I can see of my brothers are their eyes. They widen in shock when they realize what’s happening. I’m sure this isn’t what they imagined they’d be walking into. A Taletti holding their sister close while she points a gun at them. Sergei makes no move to aim at my brothers; his gun still rests down at his side.
“Stop looking at me like that.” I’m finally able to get some words out. But the hurt I see in my brothers’ eyes is almost enough to buckle my knees.
“You have a fucking gun pointed at us, Liv. How else do you want us to look at you?” Vincent answers me, pulling off his mask. Leon follows suit, removing his as well.
“I can’t let you kill him.” My eyes fill with tears. Neither of my brothers lower their guns. Sergei is over a foot taller than me. They have them pointed right over my head.
“The fuck?” Leon mumbles.
“Please,” I start to beg. “Hear me out.” They both stand there, no one moving.
“I think you’re in shock, sis.” Vincent shakes his head.
“Hey!” I bark. “You don’t trust me?”
Leon lowers his gun. My brother Vincent stands firm.
“Drop it,” Vincent orders Sergei.
“I won’t drop it, but I’ll put it away.” Sergei shifts, tucking the gun into the back of his jeans. “You’re not the only threat I’m worried about, and I won't be unarmed if someone comes for Olivia.”
Vincent slowly lowers his gun. “I’m going to pull my phone out,” he announces, slipping his hand into his pocket. I know who he’s calling. It doesn’t ring even one time before my dad’s voice comes over the line. My brother puts it on speaker. I’m sure to get my dad to talk some sense into me.