Second Assault — Bond And Treason — novel Chapter 37

Zhukovski mansion, 1:15 a.m.

—I think you'd better change, Magnus — Yaakov helps him lean against the wall in one of the corridors —. Your wounds will heal faster, especially the one on your back, which looks pretty bad.

—I would if I had the energy — his shoulder rests on the cold surface, leaving a trail of blood in the process.

—What do you want to do then? We don't have any doctors here, and since you can't change, the wounds could get infected.

—Let's just go, I'll be fine — his eyelids feeling suddenly heavy and the body struggling to stand up.

—Are you sure?

—Yes, Yaakov — his cousin tried to help him move on, but the Alpha wouldn't let him. He couldn't show weakness in front of his men, after all —. I want to get out of here now.

—Okay — both walked, Yaakov moving at the slow pace of Alexei, who was struggling to stay conscious, jaw locked and fists clenched, trying to suppress the growing pain of the injuries. In their path, several lifeless bodies lay in twisted positions on the tiled floor or the grass of the large garden, leaving pools of blood all around them. Both Alphas wrinkled their noses from the pungent smell of blood and gunpowder that still hung in the air.

—Fuck, Alex! — Nikon exclaims, amazement reflected in his words, seeing his boss's terrible state —. I hope you've left Dimitri worse. Are you sure you can walk?

—I'm fine — insisted, slurring the words in a low, raspy voice —. Were any of you hurt?

—No, although my candy was almost cut open with a knife.

—Your candy? — Yaakov questions with amusement.

—Adrik — is what Nikon offers as an explanation, shrugging.

Yaakov and Alexei look at each other, with mockery in their expressions, but reserving the comments that threatened to come out of their mouths.

—And what happened? — asks Alexei.

—I took care of the piece of shit before he could even try — crosses the arms over his chest and smiles proudly.

—It's good to know you haven't rusted yourself out from playing with your dick so much — Yaakov bursts out laughing, Nikon's face turns red with rage.

—Fuck you, asshole — turns to Alexei, who just rolls the eyes, quickly bugging out of the scene —. You realize I didn't start it, right?

—For God's sake, Yaak — Alexei pinched the bridge of his nose, but even that gesture, in his present condition, represented a great effort —. Let's just go, if I wait for you guys to finish fighting, I'll bleed to death in this fucking place.

—Okay, Nikon and I will continue on the way — before proceeding, the other Alpha stops them.

—In fact, I was going to inform you that some men and I will be staying here a little longer.

—What are you talking about, Nikon? — Alexei asks, puzzled —. Our work here is done.

—We're on the Zhukovski property, Alex — extending the arms, indicating the extensive area around them —. I'm going to order the men to take a look around to see if we can find some information that will be useful to us — Alexei is silent for a few seconds, analyzing the situation. Most of the men had already been killed and now the leader is dead, they could well use it to their advantage.

—Okay — finally accepts —. But keep in touch.

—Of course — Nikon smiles and turns, throwing orders to the henchmen to proceed with the search of the mansion.

Both Alphas approach one of the cars, along with a group of men, to return to the facility. Despite the pain in his back, and the other open wounds on his bruised body, Alexei slides up in the co-driver seat and, closing the eyes, falls asleep. The return trip was strictly silent, allowing the head of the organization to regain some of his strength before joining his Omega.

XANDER

—I miss the sea — Fred reveals, eyes half-open, trying to stay awake —. I wish I could go one of these days.

—I wish I could go to Disneyland — Lev supports on one elbow, resting a cheek on his hand.

—To Disneyland? — I ask in surprise, I would never expect that from Lev.

—Yes, and get on the cruise ship to find Nemo* — I can't help it, I burst out laughing. My shoulders shaking and my stomach aching from the effort.

The three of us, after hours of not finding anything to do, went to Lev's room and now we're lying in bed, waiting. Fred has the head on my legs, and I have mine on Lev's, who is resting on the pillow, the three of us forming a small circle on the mattress.

We have talked about all sorts of things to distract ourselves from the delicate situation happening right now, where our partners are risking their lives. It hasn't worked out very well, but we've successfully avoided worrying... For three whole minutes.

—Hey, don't be cruel! — Lev pouts, jokingly pinching my cheek —. It's been one of my illusions for a while, but Yaak doesn't want to take me.

—Why not? — Fred questions.

—Because he's an idiot and says that's for nerds.

The three of us laughed for a few moments and suddenly silence fell in the room. It doesn't take a genius to know that our thoughts are with our Alphas, wishing, longing and praying that everything will go well and that no one will get hurt... Or killed. Just the thought of that possibility makes a cold shiver run down my spine, and not being able to feel Magnus through the bond makes the worry grow stronger.

—And you, Xander? — Fred asks after a long time, catching me off guard, since I thought he'd fallen asleep. But who could sleep like that, though?

—I'd like to go to the woods.

—Yes? — astonishment coloring Lev's voice —. Wow, I thought you were more of a computer event geek or a Comic-Con* kind of guy.

—Well, yes — I laugh softly before I go on —. But my Omega side misses the forest. There's one in Ishimbaysky that's truly beautiful — a nostalgic sigh escapes from me —. The trees are huge, lush, and full of precious flowers of many kinds and colors. Most of my tattoos were inspired by that forest.

—Since when you don't go? — Fredek's inquiring.

—More time than I'd like — About two years to be exact, shortly after I met Derek I started to have a lot of work, and I hardly had time to do anything. Whenever I go through my heats, it makes me want to go more, since I am in greater sync with my Omega and the Margays are wild creatures —. What time is it, Lev? — checks the phone and sighs.

—Two o'clock — runs a hand lovingly through Fred's hair —. Maybe we should get some sleep. It's no use staying up late, when it's appropriate, they'll communicate with us.

—That's what you said two hours ago — Fred snorts —. And here we are still, talking gibberish.

—I don't think I can sleep, and I don't want to either.

—Yeah — Lev nods resignedly —. Me neither.

—So let's find another topic of conversation. Or let's play a game.

—Do you have any cards?

—I do — Lev nods —. I think they're... — the sound of his phone ringing interrupts, and the three of us sit down like a spring. I feel a knot forming in my throat, so Lev picks up and brings the device to his ear —. Yaak, thank God! — sighs with relief and a smile is drawn on his face —.Yes, they are here with me — A scowl forms on his forehead and he carefully avoids looking at us.

That's when I realize that something is not right. My heart pierces my ribs and an unpleasant feeling settles in my stomach. «Magnus...», I think desperately, watching Lev nod several times.