ELIJAH
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The explosion had thrown us apart while we were still taking blow after blow. We took cover as smoke started to fill the room.
Smoke burns my lungs with every breath.
The fire has spread faster than I anticipated. Flames claw their way up the walls, devouring everything in their path- wood, silk, history.
Nikolai’s empire is collapsing around us.
And I’m going to make sure he goes down with it.
I move through the ruined office slowly, gun raised, boots crunching over broken glass and charred debris. The heat is suffocating now, sweat dripping down my temple, mixing with ash.
He’s still here.
I can feel it.
“You always did love dramatic exits,” Nikolai’s voice cuts through the crackling flames.
I turn sharply.
He steps out from behind a half-collapsed pillar, blood staining the side of his shirt, but that same twisted smile still on his face.
Like this is all a game. Like he hasn’t already lost.
“You’re running out of places to hide, Nikolai,” I say coldly, tightening my grip on my gun.
He chuckles, wiping blood from his lip. “And yet… here I am. Still standing.”
“For now.”
We circle each other slowly, predators sizing up their final kill.
“You know,” he continues casually, “for a man who claims to be in control of everything… you’ve been very reactive lately.”
I don’t respond.
He smirks.
“It’s the girl, isn’t it?”
My jaw tightens.
“Careful,” I warn, voice low. “You’re already on borrowed time.”
“Oh, I know exactly how much time I have,” he says, glancing briefly at the flames licking closer. “Just enough to enjoy this.”
Before I can react—
He fires.
I barely dodge in time, the bullet grazing my arm as I dive behind what’s left of a desk.
Pain explodes through my shoulder, but I grit my teeth, forcing it down.
Not now.
I return fire, two quick shots. Nikolai disappears behind cover, laughing.
“You’re slipping, Elijah!” he calls out. “This isn’t like you!”
I move fast, ignoring the burning in my arm, circling around through the smoke.
“You talk too much,” I mutter, stepping over a fallen beam.
YOU ARE READING
FOREVER MINE
Romantik[Book 2] ••••••••••• After constantly being lied to and betrayed from not only her family but also her once best friend, Angela finds it hard to be able to trust anyone again. What will Elijah do when Angela enters his life again? Will he be able t...
