Page 84 of Betrayal and Vows

Elena’s face goes white.

She blacks out her screen. Then she stands. A regal air about her. “Fix your face.”

I rise on shaking legs, eyes burning. “What if he?—”

“He won’t touch you. Not yet.” She places a hand on my shoulder. “But he might touchhim.”

Panic spirals up my spine.

Elena pulls open the door.

Mikhail steps inside and looks at me with disgust.

Mom shifts slightly, just enough to put herself between us.

He knows.

Where’s Anton?

Have they killed him already?

Am I next?

Chapter 15

Anton

Imove through the grounds with Dmitri, my eyes scanning every shadow, every corner where a threat might hide.

The familiar weight of my gun sits heavy against my ribs.

My knife is strapped to my ankle and there’s another gun in a holster strapped to my upper thigh.

Everything feels different now. More dangerous.

For some reason, he and I have been put on perimeter watch. I don’t question why, but I’m suspicious.

I don’t like being away from Lena. I don’t know what is going on but it can’t be good.

"You told her." Dmitri keeps his voice down. It's not a question.

I don't answer immediately. My gaze sweeps the tree line, checking sight lines, escape routes. Old habits.

"Anton." He grabs my arm, forcing me to stop. "Tell me you didn't."

I meet his eyes. "She knows."

"Blyad."

He runs a hand through his hair, pacing. "You've lost your fucking mind."

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" His voice rises, then drops to a harsh whisper. "You just signed both your death warrants. You know that, right?"

I resume walking, checking the perimeter cameras. Two are angled wrong. Deliberate or careless? In this business, there's no difference.

"I can't leave her."