“I’m in a criminal nest?” I already know the answer, but still, I ask, “Are you an assassin as well?”
Alexei just stares at me for a moment, then he nods. “The best.” There’s no arrogance. It’s just a statement. “Which means you’ll be safe with me.”
I shake my head and flinch when the movement causes the pain to roar back. “I-I highly… doubt that.” Alexei gets up and walks around the bed to my IV. When he picks up an injection, I quickly say, “I don’t want more drugs.”
His eyes snap to me. “The pain will only get worse.”
“I can handle it.” For all I know, they’ll make me addicted to the stuff, so I don’t try to fight back once I’m better.
Alexei shakes his head. “Just until you’re stronger. Right now, it would do more damage if you tense up with every movement.”
“Don’t,” I plead, but he still injects the fluid into the IV then comes to sit down again.
I feel the drug move through my bloodstream, and it silences the aches one after the other, and then it hits hard, making me feel sluggish.
“Does he even really love me?” I ask drowsily.
“More than he’s ever loved anything. You’re the first woman he’s had a relationship with.”
My chin begins to tremble as my eyes grow heavy. “I really… loved him.” My quiet recluse.
Alexei reaches for my hair and begins to brush his palm over the strands, and it makes fear tremble through me. When a tear sneaks from my eye, he brushes it away.
“This shouldn’t have happened. I wish there was a way you could be together, but you’re from different worlds.” Alexei wipes another tear away. “It’s your turn to lie, little one. You have to tell him you don’t love him.”
A sob drifts over my lips, and it sounds lost.
With his other hand, Alexei takes hold of mine and gives it a squeeze. “When you’re better, I’ll arrange everything in Croatia for you so you can continue your travels.”
“Will you really let me go?” I ask, even though I don’t believe a word any of them say. I’d be stupid to.
“Yes. We might be killers, but we don’t hurt women.”
The words don’t set me at ease, and I fall into a restless sleep.
When I wake up, the lights are dimmed in the room. I don’t know for how long I’ve been asleep. I’ve lost track of time since this nightmare started.
Alexei’s sitting with his eyes closed, and I’m not sure if he’s awake. Turning my head to my right, my gaze connects with Carson’s. My heartbeat instantly speeds up, not from being happy to see him but because I’m terrified of him.
God, what did I get myself into?
I try to take a deep breath, testing the pain in my chest, and when the sharp ache stops my lungs from expanding any further, I slowly let the air out.
I have to start moving. I have to get out of here. I need to get to a phone, so I can call my parents.
“Lars is in the hospital. He’ll be okay,” Carson suddenly says, and it makes me feel better knowing Lars wasn’t killed.
The police! They’ll look for me.
“I left my bag at the bar. It has my passport in it. My parents know about you. If I disappear, they’ll look for me,” I say, the desperation shimmering through in my words.
Suddenly Alexei mutters as if he’s bored, “No one’s looking for you. We’ve taken care of the police, and your bag is here. You’ll get your things when you leave.”
I close my eyes as my hope goes up in smoke.
My parents won’t start to worry until two weeks have passed. I could be dead by then.
Carson sits down on the side of the bed, and it makes my eyes fly open. He leans over me, worry etched into his features. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
I turn my face away and fight the fear down, not wanting him to see it.
Carson frames my face and nudges me back until our eyes meet. “I don’t want to lose you, but I won’t keep you against your will.”
“I don’t believe a word any of you say,” I spit the words out. I yank my face out of his hold. “Don’t touch me.”
“Carson, back off,” Alexei warns him.
Carson lifts his hands in a surrendering motion as he gets up.
I test my right arm, and when the pain is bearable, I slowly push myself up into a sitting position. The stabbing ache in my chest makes it impossible to breathe for a moment.
You need to get out of here.
Gingerly, I swing my legs from the bed, and holding onto the IV stand, I get up.
God, it hurts like hell.
You can do this, Hailey.
“You need to rest,” Carson says.
“Don’t touch her,” Alexei barks when Carson moves toward me.