107

Adalina

I watch in horror as bullets whiz past my head, instinctively covering my ears to shield myself from the deafening sound of gunfire.

I watch in awe as Nikolai takes down each man with incredible precision, his movements fluid and graceful. Of course. He is an assassin. I don’t know how long the gunfight lasts, but it feels like hours. Eventually, the shooting stops, and I peek out from behind Nikolai to see what’s happened. Maxim is still lying on the ground, unconscious, and Nikolai’s men are all standing around, looking relieved.

Nikolai

The gunfire stops, and I turn to Adalina, she is shaking and crying, but she is unharmed. I feel a wave of relief wash over me. She is safe.

“Is it over?” Adalina asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” I whisper as I stroke her hair. “You’re safe now.”

Adalina clings to me, burying her face in my chest. “Thank you for saving me.