Yuri must have heard the struggle, because he came around the corner a second later, closing the distance fast. His hand clamped onto my other arm, joining the other man as they tried to pin me in place. I fought them both, thrashing and clawing, desperation driving every movement as I tried to break free before it was—
Too late.
“My Lena.”
The sound of Marcos' voice sank into me, familiar in a way that made my chest seize. The world seemed to tilt as the air thinned in my lungs. Both men holding me froze.
“Release her. Now.”
The barked command cut through them, and just like that, their hands dropped away from me. They stepped back without hesitation, leaving me standing there, but I didn’t dare move.
I couldn’t.
My gaze stared at the ground, fixed on the cracked concrete beneath my feet like if I looked anywhere else, if I lifted my head even an inch, it would make this real. I refused to see him. I couldn’t see him. The thought alone sent a wave of nausea through me, my body trembling as fear tightened its grip.
Marco was close enough that I could feel him before I even saw him, his presence pressing in on me from every direction. His scent filled the air, thick and suffocating, sandalwood laced with rage that dragged me back to a place I had fought so hard to leave behind. It wrapped around me like a noose, invaded my lungs, making it harder to breathe or even think.
He was only a few feet away.
The moment I looked up…
There would be no denying it anymore.
He stalked forward, his shadow swallowing the light as it fell over me, blotting out the sun.
“I’m so happy to see you, my Lena,” he said softly. “I missed you.”
His hand lifted, brushing a strand of hair from my face with a gentleness that made my stomach twist. Then his fingers found my chin, tilting it upward, forcing my eyes to meet his.
They widened as his face came into view, fear shooting through every nerve. I had forgotten how beautiful he was. Not human beauty. Something more classical. Like a statue carved from marble and brought to life.
Perfect.
And cruel.
For a moment, his expression was smooth, almost peaceful, as if finally having me in front of him settled his restlessness.
Then his gaze began to move.
It traced over my skin, taking in every detail, until it caught at my neck.
His fingers slipped from my chin, pushing my hair aside.
And stilled.
On Silas’s mark.
His expression shifted instantly, rage carving deep into the lines of his face as a sneer twisted his lips. His hand moved before I could react, the back of it cracking across my cheek with a sharp snap that echoed off the cargo containers.
“Who did this to you?” he roared.
I said nothing.
My chin dropped to the ground again, locking there as I forced myself inward, falling back on the only thing that had kept me alive for the past five years. Silence. Stillness.
Butterfly tapping wouldn’t save me here.
Nothing would.
