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“Alright,” she says, her voice steady. “If you’re telling the truth, you’ll let me see Nilo.”
I glance at Dimitri, who gives a reluctant nod. “Fine. But no funny business. One wrong move, and we’ll take you down.”
Her eyes flash, but she doesn’t argue. “Deal.”
We lead her to the next room, where Nilo is lying on a bed, his eyes wide with shock and relief when he sees her. They embrace, and the tension in the room finally seems to ease.
“Nilo! Are you okay?” Wren’s voice trembles slightly as she examines him, her eyes wide and filled with concern. Her fingers hover over his face, tracing unseen wounds.
“Where are we?” Nilo asks, his voice weak, his eyes darting around the unfamiliar room, clearly disoriented.
“Yeah, where are we?” Wren echoes, her brows furrowing, eyes locking onto mine, demanding an explanation.
“You’re in the Ivankov’s safehouse,” I reply, attempting to sound reassuring. “We’ve rescued you from Aleks.” I pause, watching her reaction closely.
“Ivankov…” she mutters, her eyes widening for just a fraction of a second before she quickly hides her reaction. But it’s too late. I’ve seen it, and I know there’s something more.
“You know something, don’t you?” I press, leaning in closer, my voice a mix of curiosity and challenge.
“Why should I tell you?” she shoots back, her voice defiant, her body tensing, fists clenched.
I lean back, my eyes narrowing as I study her for a moment. She’s not going to make this easy. The mistrust in her eyes is evident. The next words need to be chosen carefully.
“Because,” I say slowly, “we’re not your enemies. I told you we’re on the same side.” I pause for emphasis, letting the words sink in. “And…we…need your help.”
“You…need my help?” She frowns and looks at me suspiciously. Searching for something. Truth, perhaps. Trust, most definitely. Then her gaze shifts to Nilo, and I can see her weighing the risks, the doubts clearly playing across her face.
“Why should I believe you?” she finally asks, her voice softer now but still filled with suspicion.
“Because,” I begin, leaning forward, my voice filled with sincerity, “like I say, we’re on the same side.”
“And which fucking side is that?” she spits, her eyes ablaze with defiance.
I hold her stare, letting the silence stretch tautly before I answer, “Sophia’s side.”
Chapter 58
Sophia
THE SOFT light from the lamp in my room casts a warm glow around us. “I’ll call you,” Luka said, his voice rough but his eyes soft.
I pull him back, my heart screaming that it’s too risky; he could get killed. I couldn’t bear that pain. The pain of losing a loved one.
Not again.
“I’ll be okay, krasotka,” he says, as if reading my mind. He kisses me, and I can feel the urgency and the passion. “I’ll bring Nilo and Wren back. Safe. Trust me.”
I cling to him, tears threatening to spill. “Promise me, Luka. Promise me you’ll come back.”
He smiles that bad boy smile I love so much and whispers in my ear, “I promise, krasotka.”
I don’t want to let go. I can’t. But I do, and he leaves. The door closes behind him, and I’m left alone, his promise echoing in my head.
Sleep is impossible. I pace around my room, restless, anxious. I check on Yulia. She’s asleep, peaceful, unaware of the danger. Max wags his tail, happy to see me.
“Everything will be okay, Max,” I say, but I’m not sure I believe it.
Heading back to my room, I check my phone. Nothing from Luka. No messages, no calls.
