My isolation doesn’t last long. A sound at the door alerts me. Backing up to the wall, I grab my makeshift weapons as adrenaline floods my veins. A plan takes shape in my head. I’ll ask them for a glass of water and stab whoever delivers it in the neck. I have no idea what waits behind that door, but I’ll just have to take my chances.
A sliver of light falls over the floor through the crack as the door opens. I remain immobile, measuring the danger, but the man who enters isn’t one of Stefanov’s guards.
It’s Alex.
Relief and fear war in my chest.
He stumbles as someone pushes him, and then the light from outside disappears as the door is shut.
At a loss for words, I stare at him. Despite the situation, the moment is sweet. I thought I might never see him again. In his long, tailored coat and fancy dress shoes, he looks as formidable as ever. His thick dark hair is brushed back. His long lashes dip as he takes me in from head to toe. Signs of strain are visible on his hard-featured face. His blue eyes are marred with worry lines, and the couple of days’ worth of stubble that darkens his jaw sets off the paleness of his skin.
His voice is rough. “Did they hurt you?”
The rasp of that timbre is like water to my ears. “No.”
He looks at me as if he may consume me. “Come here.”
I don’t hesitate. When he opens his arms, I lay my makeshift weapons on the floor and run into his embrace. His body is strong and warm, the heat emanating from him enveloping me. I inhale the familiar scent of cardamom as I burrow my face in the scratchy wool fabric of his coat. He lets me soak up his presence before holding me at arm’s length.
He conducts another visual evaluation, scanning the length of me. “Did they touch you?”
“I’m okay.” My voice is meek in the aftermath of my relief, even though that relief will be short-lived.
A muscle ticks in his jaw. “I’ll kill them for taking you. I swear it on my parents’ graves.”
I swallow away the dryness of my throat. “Why did you come? It’s a trap.”
His smile is crooked. “Did you think I’d leave you here?”
Wrapping my arms around him, I press my cheek against his chest. I only give myself another second to be comforted by his presence before I pull away. “I’m sorry for running. I shouldn’t have done that. Everything just happened so fast. There wasn’t time to think.”
A smile softens his features. “I understand why you did it. I put you in an impossible situation.” Regret fills his eyes. “If not for me, you wouldn’t be in this place.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
“I’m furious, kiska,” he says in a low, rough voice. “You put your life in danger.”
“Dania—”
“I know what she did. She admitted everything.”
“Is she all right?” I ask.
The line of his jaw turns hard. “She’ll be fine.”
His face swims in my vision. “We’re going to die, aren’t we?”
Stroking his hands up my arms, he tightens his fingers on my shoulders. “I won’t let you die, Katyusha.” He pulls me close and crushes me against his chest. “I was going out of my mind with worry. You have no idea.”
I free myself from his embrace and go to the corner. “Look,” I say, lifting my weapons from the floor. “I managed to get these.”
His gaze widens, then narrows as he walks over to me. “I can’t decide if I should feel proud or spank you for even considering something so dangerous.” Taking the shards from my hands, he studies them in the light.
“We can take them out when they open the door,” I say hopefully.
“We will do nothing.” He fixes me with a hard look. “You will stay in the corner, as far away from danger as possible. I’ll take care of it.”
Before I can argue, footsteps sound on the other side of the door.
My heart beats wildly. There’s only one reason why Stefanov’s men could be coming for us now, and it’s not to bring us food.
36
Alex
Vladimir Stefanov himself steps through the doorframe.
Hatred pushes up my throat. I want to pounce on him and slash him to pieces, but three guards armed with automatic rifles follow on his heels. If I were alone in this hole, I wouldn’t hesitate to rip out his heart. But I have Katerina to consider. I have to protect her, which I can only do if she doesn’t distract me by putting herself in danger.
Tilting my head toward the corner, I give her a wordless command. To my relief, she backs away slowly until the shadows swallow her shape. I take a breath and clear my mind, letting instinct take over. I need to focus on survival and not on the woman I love, because love is a potent reminder of everything I stand to lose.