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From where I'm standing, I can hear Luka's voice through the speaker.
“Exterior patrol flagged a black sedan near the front gate.”
Alexei's entire body goes rigid, and the sudden change sends a knot straight into my stomach. Whatever Luka says next, I already know it won't be good.
“What kind of sedan?” Alexei asks.
“Black. Tinted windows. Parked on the road outside the property for approximately eighteen minutes before leaving.”
Alexei is already moving before Luka finishes speaking. “Dress. Now.”
The command snaps through the room, pulling me completely out of the haze I'd been floating in moments ago. I grab my sweatshirt from the floor while Alexei ends the call and reaches for his shirt.
“What happened?”
“We had a vehicle watching the property.”
My hands freeze halfway through buttoning my jeans. “Watching the mansion?”
Alexei drags his shirt over his head. “Dress, Maggie.”
Fear starts inching its way through me. Three minutes ago, the rest of the world felt far away. Now reality comes rushing back all at once. I finish buttoning my jeans while Alexei fastens his belt and heads for the door.
“Stay here,” he orders.
I stare at him. “Excuse me?”
“Stay in the bedroom.”
The look he gives me makes it clear he expects obedience.
Bless his heart.
“No.”
His jaw works. “Maggie.”
I walk straight toward him and fold my arms across my chest. “If somebody was sitting outside watching this house, I want to know about it.”
“I'll tell you later.”
“I'm not a child.” I plant my hands on my hips.
Neither of us gives an inch. I wait for him to argue. Instead, he exhales heavily through his nose and opens the door.
“Stay beside me.”
A small part of me wants to feel triumphant, which is ridiculous considering the circumstances. Someone was sitting outside the mansion watching the property, and all I've managed to accomplish is winning an argument about being included. Still, I follow him into the hallway before he can change his mind.
The security room sits behind a locked door near the back of the house. When Alexei enters a code and pushes the door open, I stop short. An entire wall is covered in monitors displaying camera feeds from every corner of the property. The front gate. The driveway. The perimeter fence. The gardens. The garages. Every inch of the estate appears somewhere on those screens.
Luka stands beside one of the desks while another man works rapidly at a computer. Both men straighten when Alexei enters.
“Show me.”
Luka points toward one of the monitors.
My stomach immediately drops.
