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I shivered as Dmitri tightened his hold around me, standing me up and moving into the café. He gestured for me to move toward the back and to exit through the other side so we didn’t get caught by anyone lurking around, waiting for Caiden.
There was some additional scuffle before Caiden said his goodbye and then promptly told us to get the fuck out of there. We escaped through the back door and were now wading through a sea of traffic on the main street. Even with Dmitri’s hand wrapped around my waist, I felt like this was the worst possible escape option. My hand dug into his side as we continued to walk, my anxiety heightening as we were swayed by the motion of the crowd.
“To your right,” Dmitri pushed out before I was flung against a brick wall, my man covering me with his large form. His face was tucked into my neck as I wrapped my arms around his back and tried to pull him close, not understanding this moment. Something blunt poked my side and I dipped my head down to see what it was, appalled to see a sharp object sticking out of Dmitri’s side.
I whimpered, unsure of what to do as I looked back up at Dmitri, the man’s jaw pulling tight as he tried to bury the pain. “What – who-”
“Love,” he winced, even as he dragged a hand down the side of my face. It was covered in blood, the same blood that was now spilling into the cotton of his shirt, a murky red waterfall that didn’t seem to be slowing down. “Love, look at me. There, that’s it. I need you to do something for me, alright?”
“What?No.” I had seen enough movies to know what came at this point and fuck if I was going to do that.
“Yes. Rhys, I need you to run. Keep your phone on. And run. Don’t stop. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t even answer your phone. Val will find youif you keep running.” He let out a deep breath as his body sagged against me. His breathing was faint and fuck, he was about to collapse, right here in public. “Run,baby.”
Tia’s words rang in the back of my head.
Don’t die.
And so I did the hardest thing I had ever done in my life as I pressed a chaste kiss to Dmitri’s lips and took off down the road, weaving in and out of the thick crowds, moving as fast as I could.I’ll come back for you.
And I would if I didn’t die first.
Sweat gathered around my temple as I kept my head down, ducking and weaving between the crowded streets. Bells and whistles and the general bustle of tourists hung in the air, the delicious aromas of fresh pastries and espresso making me want to enjoy the city I had come to. Instead, I was running for my life, heading to who knew where, and hoping that Dmitri would still be alive when the time came.
My heart constricted at a very real reality where I was left alone in a city that I had learned to hate because of a man I should have never met. What happened if this was how it ended? If this was where I was dragged to the headquarters and requiredto reproduce that program. All that for a fucking program? My hand shot into my pants pocket, anxiety mixing in with the fear when I realized that Fibo was gone.
The one thing I had leaned on for so long wasn’t here to help me when I needed it.
My breath quickened as I skidded around the corner of a building, my body screaming in protest. I was no athlete but I didn’t have a choice. Unfortunately, my lack of stamina and the emotions swirling in my chest were slowing me down. I nearly made it to the next street when something collided with my head and I stumbled against the stoned wall of a building next to me.
A cry of pain tore from my lips as my body crumpled to the ground, my eyes slowly fluttering shut against my will.
Or maybe this was part of some other vendetta where the program was just a small part of the goal. That idea terrified me more.
Chapter twenty-five
RHYS
I woke up with a groan, my body sore as I glanced over to my right, Dmitri sprawled out against the concrete wall. That knife had disappeared from his side, a thick bandage wrapped around his waist but it was the ashen look on his face that bothered me the most. He looked…
I shook my head, refusing to think about it. If I didn’t say it, then it wouldn’t happen.
As I adjusted to the dim lighting in the space, my eyes fell upon someone who could only be Chester. I had never met the guy but the wild look in his eyes and the snarl on his lips was the only thing that made sense. He was seated in a chair a few feet from us, dangling one leg crossed over the other, obscenely chewing a piece of gum.
“You’re awake. Excellent. Give me the program.”
I just stared, wondering how it had come to this. Sure, my program was supposed to change the world but it seemed thatnow everyone just wanted the program for selfish reasons. Had thereeverbeen an intention to use it for good or had that only beenmydream? I shifted uncomfortably, staring at the ties around my feet. I felt like I had been run over by a truck and couldn’t even remember anything after running through that crowd. How had Chester caught me?
“Oh my god, you think so fucking much. No wonder Owen couldn’t get anything from you.” I tensed at the sound of my ex’s name but didn’t respond. “Look, your fucking brother paid me to get the program and it wasn’t hard swiping you up but we don’t have time for chit-chat. The program please.”
I blinked a few times, registering what Chester had said.My brother?I knew my sister had been in charge of all this shit but my brother? Some part of me wasn’t shocked that he was in just as deep. The other part felt betrayed. Instead of playing into the shock, Chester was no doubt looking for, I just answered his demand. “I don’t have it.” He charged forward and I cringed, memories of Owen running through my head. I couldn’t separate this moment from my past, shaking as I waited for impact. It never came. I peeked over my shoulder, Chester frowning.
“So Owen was a real piece of shit, huh? Interesting. Where’s the program?”
“Gone. It doesn’t exist anymore. The copies in the house were all that was left.”
Chester frowned, crouching beside me. “But they don’t work. So, where’s the real program?” I didn’t answer that question either but my expression gave me away. His eyes rose to stare at my temple as he backed up with a scowl. “Fuck you, you little shit. Had you never met these guys,” He kicked Dmitri’s foot, causing my man to groan, “We would have had the goddamn program already and you would no longer be an issue.”
“And I’d have my fucking daughter.”
