“What are you doing?” I seethe.
How can I trust Antonio after what happened?
“Taking you to the twins.” He doesn’t lighten up his hold as he drags me through the forest. “I can see their heat signature. They’re moving north, back up toward the main road.”
Twigs and leaves crunch under my feet. Low-hanging branches scratch my cheek as I follow close to Antonio.
“They’re together?” I ask, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Yes, but they’re not alone,” Antonio says.
There’s concern laced in his tone. Something he isn’t telling me.
“Someone else is out there?” I don’t mean to clench onto his hand harder, but I do.
“Yes,” he whispers. “We need to hurry.”
He drags me alongside him, through the forest in the darkness.
Up ahead, there are voices and chatter.
“Let go of me!” Sophia whines and struggles.
Is her brother with her? Are they both putting up a fight? Who is with them?
“Stay here,” Antonio orders and releases his grip from my hand.
I don’t listen. I’m just a few steps behind him, keeping him close, not wanting to get lost in the wilderness or let anything happen to my kids. How can he expect me to stand by and wait for it all to be over?
Sophia and Liam must be frightened.
“Stop right there,” Antonio shouts.
While it’s dark outside, my eyes have adjusted to seeing a shadowy figure between the twins. Whoever it is must have each of them gripping one hand.
“I don’t work for you,” his Russian accent permeates the air.
I’d recognize that voice anywhere.
Yuri, my brother’s adviser, the Sovetnik. What is he doing in the middle of the forest with my children? Did he come to retrieve them from Mario, and if so, what the hell is going on?
“No, but you worked with Mario,” Antonio says as he steps closer, his weapon raised at Yuri. “He’s dead, and you’re next.”
“Wait!” I shout and hurry closer, wanting to see Yuri for myself, needing to know what the hell is going on.
“What are you doing?” Antonio isn’t the least bit pleased that I’m not following his orders.
I’m not one of his men he can boss around.
I can’t believe that Yuri would want to hurt the twins. Is he here to save them? Did he know about Mario’s betrayal of the Italians? Did he come to take us home?
“He wouldn’t hurt Sophia and Liam,” I say. I’m sure of it. He’s been good to the twins and me.
“She’s right,” Yuri says. He’s quick to answer, trying to remedy an already tense situation.
“Why should I believe you?” Antonio seethes on his approach.
“You shouldn’t.”