Gerald's expression hardens. He backhands me across the face.
Pain explodes through my cheek.
"Such language," he tuts. "I expected better from you."
He leans in close. The subtle notes of his cologne make my stomach turn.
"Now, why don't you tell me where you've hidden Yara?" he rasps, a drop of his saliva landing on my cheek. "Be reasonable, and no one else has to get hurt."
I spit in his face.
He jerks back, his eyes flashing.
"Go to hell!" I yell hoarsely.
Gerald straightens his tie and shrugs. "Okay, have it your way."
He nods to the men restraining me.
One of them backhands me, just as I hear a familiar voice scream, "Leave me alone!"
My stomach drops further and my blood runs cold.
I hear footsteps stomping through the brush, and moments later Yara is dragged into the open.
There's no sign of Morello.
Gerald opens the car door. "Take her," he says, gesturing toward Yara.
"No!" I cry. "I'm coming too!"
"Nope, that's where you're wrong," says Gerald. "You've been nothing but a thorn in my side, and now I get to have a little fun. You see, it's clear to me that your daughter is your kryptonite. So I'm going to take her away from you. And you truly will have nothing."
Blood runs cold in my veins as I watch Yara be bundled into the car.
"I'm so sorry," I cry out as the door is slammed and the vehicle begins to move away.
One of Gerald's remaining goons approaches me and jabs a needle into my neck.
The world spins. Darkness creeps into my vision. As I sink into unconsciousness, my only thought is of Yara.
I'm so sorry, baby girl. Mommy failed you.
Chapter 34
Alina
Before
I shield Yara behind me, my body trembling as Luchenko's men surround us in the alley.
His cold eyes bore into mine while he approaches and strokes Yara's hair.
She whimpers, shrinking away from his touch.
"Finally kotyonok." He reaches back out and takes hold of her chin, tipping it upward so he can see into her eyes. "Ah yes, we have the same eyes, you and me."
But he's only partially right. Their eyes may both be the same mesmerizing blue, so vibrant it's almost disarming, but while his are cold and ruthless, hers are wide with fear.
