Knowing the immediate threat has been dealt with, it feels like I’m moving in slow motion as I turn to check on Ariana and Alexei. My feet feel numb, my legs growing weaker as the adrenaline fades and the blood flows from my wounds.

I take in that the two people I love more than anything are unharmed, and then my eyes move to find Damien.

“Everyone okay?” Alexei asks as he glances at the group.

My eyes lock on my brother, and I see he’s not hurt.

Thank God. They’re all okay.

Damien instantly explodes into a run toward me, shouting, “No!”

Alexei’s head turns to me, and then he darts forward to catch me as I sink to my knees. “Demitri! Christ!”

When Alexei’s eyes lock on mine, I see fear on his face.

He’s never shown fear before.

He presses a hand over the bullet wound to my chest, “Hold on, brother.”

My eyes stay locked with his.

Two bullets. One for Alexei and one for Ariana. I did what I was always meant to do. I protected them with my life.

“Carson, take Ariana,” Alexei shouts, and as I cough and my vision blurs, Alexei wraps his arms around me, pulling me back to my feet. “Hold on. Please.” Hearing him beg makes me try.

Fuck, I try with everything left in me.

My blurring sight falls on Ariana, where she’s staring at me. She’s frozen in shock, barely blinking, raw anguish etched into her beautiful features, and I wish I had the strength to comfort her.

You’ll be okay, Malyshka. Alexei will watch over you on my behalf.

With Alexei on my right and Damien on my left, the world fades to black.

Chapter 27

ARIANA

My ears ring. The sound is deafening.

My eyes are locked on Demitri, the blood darkening his shirt.

I can’t register it.

I’m surrounded by death, my brother lying dead nearby, blood forming pools on the cold floor.

I can’t…

Demitri.

An arm wraps around me, and I’m forced to move, my burning gaze following Alexei and Damien, supporting Demitri, as they run out of the warehouse.

Like a magnet, I’m pulled forward, hurrying to catch up with them. Someone yanks me away, and I struggle against the hold.

I hear my voice, but it sounds distant as if I’m no longer a part of my own body. “I’m going with Demitri!” When the person forces me further away, I scream, “Alexei!”

“Let her come to me,” Alexei shouts, and I’m freed from the strong hold. I dart forward, running toward Alexei, where he’s placing Demitri in the back seat of the SUV. When I reach them, Alexei looks at me. “Get in.” I do as he says, moving onto my knees next to Demitri. Alexei leans past me, and taking my hands, he presses them to Demitri’s chest and stomach. “Keep pressure on the wounds.”

I nod frantically as I use whatever strength I can dig up to stop the bleeding.