Chapter 18 - The Rescue
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The gunfire ceased, replaced by the heavy silence of the dead.
Victor dropped to his knees on the filthy concrete floor beside Aliyah. His hands were covered in Romanov’s blood, his chest heaving. He pulled a knife from his belt and sliced the zip-ties from her wrists with terrifying speed.
The moment her hands were free, Aliyah didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
Victor crushed her against his chest, wrapping his massive arms around her, burying his face in her hair. He was shaking. The untouchable king of Boston was trembling violently, overwhelmed by the sheer terror of almost losing her.
"I've got you," he whispered repeatedly, kissing the top of her head, her cheeks, her tears. "I've got you, milaya. You are safe."
"You came," she cried, gripping his tactical vest as if she would never let go.
"I was a coward," Victor confessed, his voice thick with raw agony. "I pushed you away because I thought distance would protect you. I was wrong. The only place you are safe is in my arms. I will never let you out of my sight again."
He stood up, lifting her effortlessly off the floor, carrying her bridal-style out of the burning warehouse.
Mikhail and Silas stood by the waiting armored SUV, lowering their weapons respectfully as their boss carried his queen out of the ashes.
"Burn the building," Victor ordered Silas coldly. "Leave no trace of Romanov or his men."
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He placed Aliyah gently into the back seat of the SUV, climbing in right beside her. He didn't sit on the opposite side of the car. He pulled her into his lap, wrapping a heavy wool blanket around her shivering shoulders, holding her against his heart for the entire drive back to the estate.
The fortress had never felt so safe.
