Page 160 of Crave

I don’t want to, but I nod.

“Shit.” Sven whistles low. “Did he get hit by one of those bullets?

I remember the painful sound in his last word.

Damn.

”Maybe. We have to get out of here. I know who to call.” I just need to find a phone. Enzo will get us.

CHAPTER 79

LARA

Song, Sleep, Citizen

Blowing out a breath,I have to hold onto the side of the couch to stay upright. With every step the world spins a little more.

Placing my hand over my heart, my breathing becomes more ragged. Like my chest is closing in on me.

And my pulse is racing a million miles an hour against my hand.

I shake my head, trying to regain some sense of composure.

It isn’t working. It’s getting worse.

Slowly, I turn my head to locate my phone. I need Nikolai. This isn’t right.

Panic starts to grip me and I feel cold and clammy.

On shaking legs, I take a step towards the coffee table and it’s like the life drains out of me. Black dots appear in my vision, like blobs that are getting bigger.

Until I can’t see.

I can’t feel.

CHAPTER 80

ALEXEI

The Other Side, Ruelle

“I’ll takethem back with me,” Enzo points to Ben and Sven in the back.

“Yeah, I’ll call you later.” I swing open the passenger door before he can even come to a stop outside my house.

I need a fucking shower. Lara won’t mind, I bet she’s going to be crazy excited to see me.

She’s all I can think about.

I’ve missed her so much it hurts. I’ll never leave her again.

In fact, I am going to ask her to be my wife. She always wanted to be a beautiful bride, I want to give her that.

I’d give her anything she desires.

I just need to get the perfect ring, one that will make her smile every time she looks at it. Maybe a pink one. She loves anything that color.

I sprint to the front door and barge my way through.