Page 115 of Gilded in Blood

Nothing.

“Please.” I shake her harder. “Come on.” Her head lolls to one side.

The footsteps are getting closer to the bedroom. Think, Milana. Think.

I don’t have time to drag Calina out. I need another plan. My eyes land on the crystal flower vase sitting on the coffee table.

I snatch it up before quickly lowering myself on the floor close to the sofa. At the last second, I let the vase slip from my hand.

It falls onto the rug beside me with a dull thud, rolling onto its side.

Perfect. It looks like it fell when I collapsed. I close my eyes and force my breathing to slow, praying and hoping my plan works.

The bedroom door creaks open. “They’re out,” one man says with a satisfied laugh. “See? I told you.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s get them to the basement.”

I hold my breath, forcing myself not to breath.

“Hurry up.”

“The boss wants them in the basement before anyone notices.”

“I’ll take the one on the sofa.”

“I’ve got the one on the floor.”

A shadow falls across my face, and my nostrils are assaulted with the smell of nicotine mixed with sweat.

I feel him getting closer, closer… I wait, heart beating so fast, it’s a surprise it hasn’t jumped out of my mouth yet.

One more step. Now. My eyes fly open, I quickly reach for the crystal vase, and with every ounce of strength I have, I swing it upward.

A crack echoes through the room as it connects with the man’s temple. He cries out before collapsing to the floor in a heap.

The second man who’s trying to carry Calina jerks around. “What the⁠—”

I’m already moving. I drive my knee hard into his groin.

He doubles over with a strangled scream, both hands dropping instinctively to protect himself.

“You bitch!”

I take advantage of his position and slam my elbow into the side of his neck. He stumbles, and before he can recover, I drive the edge of my hand into the side of his throat.

His eyes roll back and crumples to the floor beside his partner.

For a second, the room is silent except for my ragged breathing. I spin back to the sofa. “Calina.”

Nothing. I need to get us out of here. I hook my arms beneath hers and pull. She barely moves.

“Oh, come on.”

I pull harder, but she’s completely limp. Tears sting my eyes. I could leave her here and go look for help, but I can’t. It’s only a matter of time before those men regain consciousness.

Gripping her beneath the arms, I begin dragging her across the floor. Every inch feels like a mile, and by the time I reach the bedroom door, my arms are burning, but I can’t stop to rest.

I drag her into the hallway and find it empty. I have no idea where Kirill and Maxim are. Probably they're still downstairs where we left them?