Tears of Salvation (The Saints #5; Underworld Kings #3)

by Michelle Heard

I’m expertly skilled in both masks I wear. The Princess of Terror – who only cares about the luxuries the cartel can give her. Then there’s Isabella Terrero – the woman who spends her nights freeing slaves. The trained fighter who never misses a shot. The daredevil who knows no fear.

“Your name.” She shakes her head, keeping her gaze on the people below. “I’m just a party crasher.” Like I thought. “You?” she asks. The corner of my mouth lifts again. Baby, you don’t want to know who I am. “The Devil,”

It’s also rare for anything to impress me. And fuck, did Isabella Terrero impress me tonight.

It’s fun watching them worry, not having the slightest clue the person is right under their noses.

The corner of his mouth lifts again. “Family. Never thought I’d consider having kids.” “I’ll teach them how to shoot a gun,” I joke. Demitri’s smile widens. “You better, seeing as you’ll be their godfather.”

Alexei Koslov is known to be unpredictable and ruthless. He’s deadly and the most feared man. Those facts alone should make me take the shot while I can, but for some unknown reason, I don’t.

Looking at him, a smirk forms around my lips as I say, “You’re no match for me, Vetrov.” “Want to put down your gun so we can find out how good you really are?” Demitri asks. “Another time. I have a mess to clean up,”

Again Alexei laughs. “Do you really want to deprive the world of the ecstasy you felt when I fucked you?” My left eyebrow shoots up. “Vain much?” “No, just confident.”

“It’s only a matter of time before your cover is blown.” “Is that a threat?” I bite the words out, taking a threatening step toward him. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, there’s a power struggle between us before he lets out another bark of amused laughter. “Fuck, are you real?”

Alexei meets my smile as he looks at me with admiration. I’ve never had anyone look at me like that, and it makes a weird sensation ripple through my chest.

Isabella Terrero is a goddess if ever I saw one.

You’re strong enough to survive at my side, but how the fuck do I capture someone as wild as you?

“When you smile like that, it makes me want to kiss you.” Her left eyebrow lifts slightly. “Are you warning me or asking permission?” “Oh, baby,” I chuckle darkly. “I’m warning you.”

“Isabella’s not stupid. Don’t underestimate her just because she has amnesia. She’s well trained and dangerous. If her memory returns, do not engage with her.” I focus on Nikhil and Sacha. “You won’t stand a chance against her. Just let her go.”

“What did I wear most?” “During the day, you were the perfect socialite, and at night you wreaked havoc in black leather.”

I’ll make Isabella love me, marry her, and then she’ll be mine. Together we’ll rule the world.

“I like this wet and wild look on you. It’s sexy.” Letting out a chuckle, I ask, “Is everything a turn-on for you?” “When it comes to you, yes.”

I fucking want Isabella Terrero. Not only because she’ll be a valuable ally, but because I’m falling for her.

“Who are you, Alexei? What makes you tick?” I turn my gaze back to the view, thinking how to answer her. “I’m a conqueror.” I take a slow breath, then exhale. “It’s all about the power. I’m addicted to it.” Turning to face Isabella, I stare deep into her eyes. “You’re the first woman to make me tick. You’re such a fucking challenge, and I love it.”

Turning to Demitri, I ask, “How am I going to make the proposal romantic?” He gives me an incredulous look. “You’re aware I don’t have a romantic bone in my body? Go ask Ariana.” “Right.”

Okay. Deep breaths. You love Isabella. Christ, so much for thinking I was the one in control. My breathing begins to speed up as I feel panic for the first time in my life. What if her memory returns and I lose her? What the fuck will I do then?

“Whatever happens in the future, I want you to remember this moment. I mean everything I’m going to say.”

“I fucking love everything about you. I could spend the next hour going into detail, but I won’t. I want you. All of you. I want you next to my side. I want to wage wars with you. I want to build empires with you. I want you in every new memory I make because there isn’t a woman on the face of this planet I respect more.”

“Mine. A fucking goddess belongs to me.” My lips curve up as I shake my head, and framing his jaw with my palms, I say, “No, a god belongs to me.”

“What do you want?” I ask, intimacy weaving a spell around us. “You naked every night.”

“And?” “You by my side forever.” As Alexei’s mouth takes mine, my heart fills with warmth, and it slowly spreads through my body.

“Well, I’m glad you have Demitri.” I smile up at him. “And me.” He just stares at me for a moment. “Do I?” The smile fades from my face. “Of course.”

“You look beautiful, my goddess.” I turn around, and adjusting the lapels of his suit jacket, I say, “You’re devastatingly handsome. Tonight we look like a power couple.”

I have to hand it to him; it was a clever move. Brilliantly played. Bastard.

I agreed to an alliance with Alexei Koslov, and there’s no way out of it. Not in our world. You don’t just break an alliance. The only way out is death. Either him or me.

“You’re mine, Isabella.” It feels as if he’s silently adding, ‘No matter what.’

My heartbeat speeds up as the thought that I can actually lose Isabella crosses my mind.

She lets out a burst of enraged laughter as her eyes lock on mine, cold and wild. “I’m going to fucking kill you.” I hold up a hand. “Calm down. Let’s talk.” “Talk?” she hisses. “TALK?”

“Go home, Alexei. I’ll meet you there before the attack.” Opening my eyes, I focus on Isabella, and then honesty spills over my lips, “It’s not home without you.”

“Hi, Demitri,” Isabella says. “Miss me?” He lets out a chuckle. “No, but thanks for the cover.” “Just repaying the favor.”

“Still hate me?” I ask. Her eyes narrow on me. “You know there’s a thin line between love and hate,” I tease her.

“There’s an even thinner line between the truth and a lie.” “Clearly. You’ve mastered the art of that,” Isabella mutters. “Just like you have,” I say, and it makes Isabella stare at me.

“God, it’s hard thinking Alexei Koslov is playful and caring,” I mutter. He lets out a chuckle. “I’m full of surprises.” “You can say that again.”

“I’m sorry I lied to you,” he murmurs as he wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss on my hair. “But I’d do it again if it meant I got you at the end.”

When I walk inside, Demitri turns his attention to me. “No black eye?” “And I even got a kiss,” I joke. He lets out a chuckle, shaking his head at me. “Lucky fucker.”

“You already consider me family?” He meets my eyes. “From the moment I put that ring on your finger.”

“You might get pregnant,” I state the obvious. “You have a problem with me bearing your children?” she sasses me. I quickly shake my head, and the image of Isabella pregnant with my child almost makes me lose control. “Hell fucking no.” “Then fuck me, Alexei.”

“It’s not a known fact that you can fight. Why do you hide it?” “It’s so my enemies will underestimate me. It’s always a good thing to catch the fuckers off guard.” I nod. “You’re such an enigma,” she says as she lays her cheek on my chest. “Every day, I learn something new.”

“Let go, baby,” I breathe. I try to twist my wrist free from her hold. “It’s okay.” I give her a pleading look. “Let go.” “Shut up! I’m not losing the man I love,” she snaps angrily.

“Terrero,” I hiss as I pull the blade out so her blood can flow freely. “You never stood a chance.” I bury the KA-BAR into her side, where her lung is. “I’m marrying your daughter. Isabella is mine.” I watch as her eyes widen for a moment, filling with rage. “Fucking die.” Isabella tightens her hold, letting out a growl as she yanks back, and then there’s a sickening crack as she snaps her mother’s neck.

“Hi, baby,” I murmur. She leans down, and framing my jaw, she presses a kiss to my lips. “Hi, baby,” she echoes my words.

“One down, many more to go,” I say with a heavy breath. Alexei frowns at me. “Many more? How many enemies do you have?” I let out a burst of laughter. “Ohhh… just every flesh peddler in the world.”

You’d think it would be degrading to have her tend to me, but it’s not. I fucking love that she’s doting on me.

“I fell for you because you were my salvation.” I give her a questioning look, and it has her explaining. “I wouldn’t have lasted long on my own. You might’ve taken me in the beginning, but in return, you gave me the freedom to be myself.”

His lips curve up as he slowly walks toward me. “My party crasher.” “My devil,” I murmur as he stops in front of me.