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I’m betting that’s where he spent the night.

It better have been the best night of his life.

Because I’m going to make sure it’s his last.

“Head north,” I growl to Maksim, sending him the address. “We’re going to pay our new friend a visit.”

“Yes, sir.”

For the first time since our chase began, I find myself hoping that Rozalia isn’t where I think she is.

Because if she is, there’s no telling what I’ll do.

She’s mine, you bastard. And I’m willing to fight to keep it that way.

I might also be willing to do something far worse…

10

Rozalia

The moment my eyes rip open, I swivel around and reach for the knife I keep tucked beneath my pillow.

But it’s not there. And before I can realize why, a blinding headache bursts out from behind my skull.

“Fuck…” I groan, slamming my head down into the pillow.

The scent in the linen is unfamiliar. Harsh almost. There’s a salty thickness to everything. It reminds me of the black waves that swallowed me up.

My stomach drops as I remember what happened.

I drowned.

Did the ocean spit me back out?

How the hell am I still alive?

I don’t have the strength to dig too deeply into those memories. Instead, I focus on taking deep breaths. The pain ravaging my head is like a crown of thorns, tightening every time I move. I just want to sink into the soft mattress and close my eyes again.

Then, I feel a giant presence approach from my bedside.

Headache or not, I pull out a clenched fist and prepare to defend myself.

But that just makes everything so much worse. And it only worsens as I try to fight through the throbbing ache and stare down my visitor.

I don’t need to see clearly to instantly recognize the shape leaning towards me.

“Take it easy, Roz. It’s just me.”

That’s Tytus’ voice. And I recognize the comforting weight of his heavy hand as he softly pushes me back down into the soft mattress.

“Where am I?” I croak. My throat is bone dry.

“You’re safe.”

“Where. Am. I?”

Tytus sighs against my stubbornness, and I know I’m not going to like his answer.