The liquid inside is blue.
"If you won't talk, I've got just the thing. This stuff right here," he says, holding up the needle, "has made me millions. It built my secret empire, and it's what will help me take over my family. But first, it's going to make you answer everything I want, and don't worry, there'll be plenty more for you once we're done."
I wiggle, trying to pull away, but there's nowhere to go.
He takes a step toward me, aiming for my arm.
Suddenly, the room is plunged into darkness.
"Chto za khuynya?" Dimitri says, his voice sharp.
What the fuck?
He yells at his men to go check it out.
One of them tells him in Russian that they need to secure him in a safe place until they know everything is okay.
Dimitri curses, and I can barely see him in the shadows.
Then he walks out, everyone follows, and the door slams shut.
I'm alone again, and my heart pounds in my chest. What the hell was he going to give me?
Then I hear it. That unmistakable sound I know so well.
The whiz of silenced gunshots, followed by groans echoing in the dark.
Then complete chaos.
Gunfire erupts all around me outside the room, the sounds bouncing off the walls.
I wiggle my body to free my hands, but it's no use, and the movement only makes my shoulders hurt more.
The gunfire and yelling stop for a moment, and the door bursts open.
I scream from the sudden impact of the door hitting the wall.
A flashlight turns on, and a beam cuts through the room, landing directly on my face, blinding me.
"Danika?"
I know that voice, and hearing it causes my heart to almost leap out of my chest.
"Victor?"
The light moves up toward my hands, leaving me blind.
I hear him walk up to me, his footsteps quick.
"Are you alright?" he asks, and I feel the tension break as he cuts me free. "Are you hurt? Did they hurt you. I’ll fucking kill them."
I collapse as my arms fall to my sides, and he catches me, his hands steady as he looks me over.
"Victor?" I ask again, unable to believe it.
"Yeah, baby. Were you expecting someone else?"
I laugh, the sound shaky and breathless.
