Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“See,” he says, crouching down so we’re eye level, “I don’t believe you. Sergei employs a lot of people, and I’ve never seen any of them have such a high level of security. You’re important to him, which makes you very valuable to me.”
I try to keep my expression blank, but my heart is beating so hard I’m sure he can hear it.
“I told you, I’m only important because I take care of his mother,” I say. “If you’re using me as leverage, you’ve picked the wrong person. Sergei doesn’t care about me at all.”
“Maybe that’s true,” Semion says. “Then again, maybe you’re just saying that because you think it’ll help you get out of here. Don’t worry, Nicole. I have no intention of hurting you. As soon as I get what I want, you can go back to playing house with Sergei.”
I swallow hard, the heat rising to my face. He sees it and smirks.
“Too easy,” he hums. “Trust me, Nicole, I did my homework. You’re more than a nurse. You’ll stay here until negotiations wrap. Behave, and you’ll get basic care. Push me, and I’ll make an example out of you.”
I lift my chin. “Sergei will kill you,” I say, venom in every word.
“At least we’re honest with each other now, Nicole,” he says with a pleased smirk. “This isn’t personal. I don’t want to hurt you. Usually I’m bullshitting when I say that, but you seem sweet, so I’ll give it to you straight.”
I bite my tongue, holding back all the bitter words that come to mind. I hate this man and I’ve only known him for five minutes.
“You’re lucky, you know,” he goes on. “Most people who cross the Bratva don’t get this level of hospitality. Stay quiet afterward, and we won’t come for you. Consider it a rare chance at survival.”
“Why me?” I breathe, unable to help myself. “I’m not part of any of this.”
“No,” he agrees. “You’re not. Which is exactly why it hurts him more.”
I suck in a breath. He’s a vindictive bastard. He’s actually enjoying this.
He stands slowly, straightening his jacket with a practiced flick of the wrist. He turns toward the door, but pauses just before stepping out.
“One more thing,” he says without looking back. “Don’t try to escape. You wouldn’t want to hurt the baby.”
The floor drops out from under me.
“What?” My voice is barely a whisper. “What did you say?”
But he’s already gone.
The door clicks shut behind him, and I’m left alone in stunned silence. How could he possibly know about the baby?
He really has been watching me. I feel sick. All this time I’ve just been happily doing my job and falling for Sergei, thinking I was safe. But this man has been following me every time I’ve been off the grounds. He knows about the baby. I wonder what else he knows. Will I ever be safe again? Is Mia safe? My parents? If anything happens to my loved ones because of Sergei, I’ll never forgive him.
I try to breathe, but a weight crushes my chest. I curl in on myself as far as the restraints allow, knees drawn up, willing myself not to cry. Tears will only make me feel more helpless.
But the tears come anyway.
Hot. Silent. Angry.
I sob into the darkness, my shoulders shaking, my stomach tight with the ache of helplessness and fear. Every instinct screams to protect the life growing inside me, yet I can’t even get off this fucking chair.
I should have just stayed with Sergei. I left out of fear, but I’ve landed in the middle of something much worse. I could blame Sergei for all of this, but it’s clear that I was safe with him, at least. I’m here because I left—simple as that.
28
SERGEI
The ride to Semion’s compound is thick with tension and unspoken anxiety. Sasha worries the plan won’t work. Hell, so do I. But I don’t see any other way. I have to do whatever it takes to get Nicole back, even if it means inciting a war with Semion.
I glance at Sasha; he stares out the window as if already drafting a kill list in his head. He’s been itching for this conflict for months, secretly glad the fuse has finally been lit. He’ll never admit it, but he’s thirsty for blood.
So am I. I’ve never wanted to settle a score more than I do now. Not even when my father was killed. This is different. This isn’t about territory or business. This isn’t even about pride. This is about Nicole. She doesn’t deserve to be involved in any of this. She didn’t even know about it until last night. I’ve put her in this position, so I have to do whatever it takes to get her back.
She’s in the hands of a man who doesn’t understand restraint. He swears he won’t hurt her, but with him the line between calm and brutality is razor-thin.