“I can’t… I can’t even think of it,” she cries.
“Shhh… it’s okay.” I brush a hand up and down her back.
Ana pulls away, and her tearful eyes meet mine. “I can’t lose you, Isabella. You’re all I have, all that stands between me and the demons.”
I lift my hands to her cheeks, framing her face, and then I look deep into her heartbreaking gaze. “You won’t lose me. I’ll always protect you.”
Ana hugs me, and then she whispers, “I love you.”
My eyes drift shut as her words piece some of my heart back together again. “I love you too.”
It’s the first time I’ve said those words to a person, and no one’s more deserving than the woman I call my sister.
“If we really need to go to LA, I’ll go. I’ll follow you wherever you go,” she says as she wipes her cheeks. Then, taking a deep breath, she admits, “I trust you.”
My lips curve into a smile, and then a weird sensation skitters down my spine. I glance around us for the source.
It could be Alexei.
Not wanting to take the chance, I get up and help Ana to her feet. “Time to go back. We’ve been out here for too long.”
I keep glancing around us as we quickly walk toward the house.
“Something wrong?” Ana asks, her eyes darting around us.
“No, I’m just being careful,” I answer. “Don’t worry.” As I say the words, I move my right hand behind my back, and my fingers wrap around the hilt of the gun.
I place my left hand on Ana’s back so I can grab hold of her if we’re suddenly attacked.
My senses are on high alert until I finally push Ana into the house, sealing the security door shut.
“What’s going on?” Ana asks.
I shake my head.” I’m not sure. It could just be Alexei watching us.” I head to the basement and bring up the security cameras we have around the property.
Ana and I take a seat, and then we wait to see if anyone approaches the house.
Not even seconds later, a car slowly passes by the front of the house, and then three men approach from the side.
Ana stiffens next to me, her voice fearful as she whispers, “Isabella.”
I get up, pulling my gun from behind me. “Seal the door behind me.”
“Wait!” Ana points at the screen.
My eyes snap to the monitor. One man’s already down, and I watch as another drops. The third begins to run but doesn’t make it far before he slumps to the ground.
Alexei.
Just then, movement by the wall grabs my attention, and I watch as Alexei jumps over, running for the security door.
My body moves, and I race up the stairs. I slam into the security door, then quickly put in the code to open it, and then Alexei fills the narrow hallway, shoving the door shut.
His eyes lock on mine. “We have to move. Now. Demitri’s holding them off.”
“Ana!” I shout as I turn to run back to her. “We need to leave. Clear the systems.”
Alexei grabs hold of my arm, and then I’m yanked to his chest, and his arms wrap around me. I hear him take a deep breath, and he presses his mouth to my temple. Precious seconds pass before he lets go of me.
His hand lingers on my arm as our eyes meet, and the sight of him alone rips through my heart, never mind feeling his touch.
Then he gently nudges me. “Go.”
I dart away from him, and as I race down the stairs, Ana looks at me, stark panic on her face as she feverishly types to wipe the computers clean.
“It’s going to be okay,” I assure her as I grab my backpack, shrugging it on. I check the clips of my Heckler & Koch and Glock, then set the timer for a device that will initiate a fire to burn the house down.
“What can I do?” Alexei suddenly asks, and Ana startles so bad, she forgets about the system and jumps up from the chair.
I hold up a hand to stop Alexei from moving and approach Ana. Her eyes dart to my face. “It’s okay. Alexei won’t hurt you.” I pat against my chest. “I’m here.”
Ana darts away from the wall toward me, and a second later, she comes to a skidding stop next to me, grabbing hold of my shirt at my side. Her fingers dig tightly into the fabric.
I walk to the system and finish the shutdown procedure, then turn to Alexei. “You just startled her.”
Alexei’s eyes move to Ana. “Nice to finally meet you, little one.”
Ana just nods, her eyes locked on my side.
“I love a reunion as much as the next person, but we really have to get out of here.”
I activate the timer, then help Ana put on her backpack. “Stay behind me,” I say, and she nods. “If anything happens to me, you run as fast as you can.”
Ana’s face pales, and then she meets my eyes and shakes her head.
I don’t have time to argue with her as we rush to follow Alexei back to the security door. “Is it clear, Demitri?”
I can’t hear Demitri’s response, but then Alexei gestures to the door. “Open it.”
I do as he says, and as we abandon the last safe house I had, the realization hits that even after everything, I still trust Alexei.