Chapter Twenty-FiveAlexei

Chapter Twenty-Five

Alexei

The roar of the jet's engines fills the night air as I sprint across the tarmac, my heart pounding in my chest. I can see Irina struggling against Igor's grip, her eyes wide with fear. My men clash with Paulo's bodyguards behind me, but my focus is on her. I won't let her be taken. Not again.

"Paulo!" I shout, drawing his attention. He sneers, yanking Irina from Igor and pressing a gun to her temple.

"Alexei," he taunts, "always so predictable. I have to give it to you though, I did not see this one coming."

I raise my gun, aiming for his head. My finger hovers over the trigger, but his grip tightens on Irina, his eyes daring me to make a move. I can't risk it. I can't lose her.

"Make one stupid move and the girl dies," he threatens.

"I can say the same about you. You've always been a coward with some stupid trick up your sleeve." I swallow at the sight of Irina writhing against his grip.

"Drop your weapon," he commands, his voice cold and steady.

My gaze bounces between him and Irina.

"Drop it now or I shoot her!"

Reluctantly, I let my gun fall to the ground and signal my men to do the same. My hands are up, my heart is racing. "Let her go, Paulo. This is between you and me."

He laughs, a cruel, mocking sound. "Oh, it's far too late for that."

"What do you want, Paulo?" I ask.

"Nothing, this is just fun." Paulo shoots at me, I dodge the bullet and quickly grab my gun from the floor. I evade more bullets as we both fire.

The hangar erupts into chaos. My men tackle Paulo's men, the sound of more gunfire accompanies the thud of punches.

Nikolai shoots and his bullet punches a hole through Igor's head.

Igor's eyes remain wide. Blood trails down between his eyes as his body falls lifelessly to the ground.

I roll behind a stack of crates, narrowly avoiding another shot from Paulo. My ears ring with the sound of gunfire and shouts.

I pop up from my cover and fire a few shots in Paulo's direction. He ducks behind a metal support beam, returning fire. The bullets chip away at the crates around me, splinters flying. I grit my teeth. "Fuck, Irina."

Paulo is using her as a human shield. That sick bastard.

"Irina, stay down!" I shout as I calculate the distance between me and her. I need to get to her.

Irina drops to the ground, crawling behind a large metal container. I see one of Paulo's men making a move towards her, but one of mine intercepts him, dragging him into a fierce struggle.

Paulo steps out, firing rapidly. I return fire, each shot calculated, aiming to force him back. One of my bullets grazes his arm, and he snarls in pain, ducking back behind cover.

"You can't win this, Paulo!" I shout over the din. "It's over!"

"You think this is over?" His voice is filled with manic glee. "This is just the beginning!"

He lunges out, firing wildly. I dive behind another stack of crates, feeling the heat of bullets passing dangerously close. My mind races, searching for an opening, a way to end this without risking Irina's life.

Paulo ducks to the next container where Irina is hiding and grabs her. He pulls her up and cocks his gun. "Come out or I kill the girl."

"Alexei, don't. Run, please," Irina pleads. "He'll kill you."

No, he'll kill her if I don't do what he wants. It's not up for negotiation. I can tell from how crazy he looks right now.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest, and slowly emerge into the open. Paulo smirks, a wicked grin that sends a chill down my spine.

"Well, well, well, Alexei," he sneers, "looks like you're caught. It seems like Irina won't be making it out alive after all."

I raise my gun, aiming at his chest. "You made a mistake, Paulo. I won't let you get away with this."

He laughs, his eyes gleaming with pure malice. "I'm afraid you have no choice, Alexei. This was never about Irina. It was always about you, and now she'll pay for it."

With a swift motion, he turns the gun towards me and pulls the trigger.

A shot rings out. For a split second, time freezes. I brace for the impact, but instead, I see Irina's father, stumble forward, blood blossoming over his chest. Irina's scream pierces the night as she pushes Paulo away and runs to her father. She catches him, sinking to the ground with him in her arms.

The world narrows to a single point. Rage and desperation explode within me. Paulo's momentary distraction is all I need. I lunge forward, my fists connecting with his face, over and over, until his gun clatters to the ground. He swings back, but I duck, driving a knee into his gut. He gasps, stumbling, and I don't stop until he's down.

I point my gun at him. "I told you, it is over for you."

I pull the trigger three times. All three bullets to his chest. His death rattle lasts only a second and he's gone.

Breathing heavily, I turn to Irina. She's holding her father, tears streaming down her face.

Matteo's breaths are shallow, each one a struggle. I kneel beside them, feeling helpless.

"Dad! No!" Irina cries, her voice breaking. "Don't die on me, please. We'll get you to a hospital and you'll be fine."

"Irina," Matteo whispers, his voice weak but filled with regret. "I'm...I'm so sorry."

"Dad, please, stay with me," she begs, her voice trembling. "You can't die. I haven't forgiven you yet."

He shakes his head slowly. "Forgive me, Irina. I should have...should have protected you. I should have been a better father."

Sobs wrack her body as she clutches him tighter. "You were always a good father to me. I forgive you, Dad. Just don't leave me."

Matteo smiles weakly. "You…have no idea…how much that means to me."

His eyes flutter closed, and with a final, shuddering breath, he stills.

Irina shakes him. "Dad." She scrutinizes him for a breath, a sign that he is not truly gone. "Dad no, please."

Her wail of grief tears through me. I crouch there, helpless, unable to do anything for her. The only thing I can do is to pull her away from him and let her find solace in my arms.

I tug her into my embrace, feeling her tremble against me I gather her in my arms, holding her as she cries.

"It's okay, malyshka ," I whisper, patting her head. "You'll be fine."

We'll be fine.