Page 101 of Gilded Shackles
Nikolai's blood soaks through my dress. Warm and thick, turning cold against my skin. I can feel his heart. Racing, then slowing, then racing again. Still fighting. He's still fighting.
"Elle..." His voice is barely a rasp. His hand finds mine, squeezes weakly. "Go. Run while you can."
"I'm not leaving you." Tears burn hot tracks down my face. I shift my body, rolling over him, shielding him with everything I have.
His blood smears across my skin. I can feel him trying to push me away, trying to protect me even now. But I press closer, making myself the barrier between him and my mother's gun.
"Please," I whisper against his chest. "Don't leave me."
"Raphaella, you're being ridiculous." Mother sighs like I'm having a tantrum in a store. "Move, or I'll shoot through you."
I look up at her. My chest heaving. "Then do it. You'll have to shoot your own daughter. Your own grandchild."
Her expression doesn't change. If anything, she looks bored. That's when I know she's truly gone. Whatever she might have once felt for me has been incinerated by her own ambition.
"Mom, please." One last time. "This isn't you."
She tilts her head. "You never did understand how this world works. How disappointingly naive you turned out to be."
Beneath me, Nikolai's breathing is shallow. Labored. His lips move against my hair.
"Elle... the baby. Save our baby."
Our baby.Two words that crack my heart wide open. He only just found out. And now he might never...
No. I can't think that. We're getting out. All three of us.
I shake my head, tears streaming. "I'd rather die right here by your side."
"How romantic." Gayle actually laughs. "You know what? That might be easier. You've always been too much effort."
She raises the gun. Aims at my head.
"Goodbye, Raphaella. You were always such a disappointment."
Her finger tightens. Everything slows. Panic floods every sense.
I close my eyes.
Hold Nikolai tight. Think of the family we could have built. Pray for Pasha. Think of all the things I'll never see.
Through the roar of blood in my ears, I hear Nikolai screaming at me to run. Feel him fighting to push me off.
I hold tighter. Tears streaming. Waiting for the shot. For pain. For darkness.
The sound that comes is deafening. A crack that splits the air like thunder.
But the pain doesn't follow.
Instead, there's a thump. Heavy. Final. A body hitting the floor.
I open my eyes.
My mother is on the ground. Blood pooling around her head like the only halo God thought she deserved.
Behind her, Natalia stands in the doorway. Breathing hard. A smoking pistol shaking in both hands.
My brain refuses to catch up.
