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“Alex.” She gently grabbed my arm. “He’s not there.”

“What?”

She sighed. “The cameras surrounding the building caught two men approaching the vehicle, and it seemed like they took him. We should call the police but in your line of work, I know that’s complicated.”

“Can I see the video?”

I could tell she wanted to say no, but in the end she agreed. On the way to the security office, I called Gideon.

“Alex, what’s up?”

“I’m at Dr. Thorne’s office, I had a session. Danny came with me but stayed in the car…Gideon, they bashed the windows in and took him.”

There was silence on the other end, and I had to check that my cheek hadn’t hung up on him.

“The Russians have Danny?”

“Yeah. Security got it on video. I’m going to check it out now.”

“I’m on my way there; do not leave.”

“I won’t.” I disconnected the call and went into the security office.

I watched the video over and over. Each time, that familiar rage began to boil inside me. The way they’d manhandled him. Why hadn’t he fought them? I was about to view it again when Gideon and Penn walked in.

“Show me,” Gideon said, and I pressed Play.

“Can we get a license plate off the vehicle?” Penn asked.

“Won’t matter. It’s likely a rental or not registered to anyone with an address around here.” Gideon was texting—my guess was with Toni.

“Maybe Maksim would know,” I offered.

“That’s what I’m going to find out.”

While Gideon was doing that, Penn moved closer to me. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fucking pissed, Penn…and if I’m honest, terrified. Vladimir isn’t known for being kind or subtle. I doubt he’s sitting down having tea with Danny, asking him about his pottery or crocheting.”

Penn frowned. “Danny is crafty?”

I rolled my eyes. “Penn, focus.”

“Sorry.”

“Maksim said that after we fucked up the other house for Vladimir, there was a big chance that he didn’t want to risk using the same location, but he wouldn’t go much farther. Maksim is going to message his dear old dad and see if he can find anything out.” Gideon ran his fingers through his hair.

“Do you think Ivanov will tell the son who he thinks is a disgrace?” I had to wonder if Maksim wasn’t the golden goose Gideon thought he was.

“What other choice do we have?”

I spun in my chair and watched the video again…then again. Each time that familiar feeling tried to take over. No, I wasn’t going to let Vladimir Ivanov take someone else from me. I’d get Danny back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Danny

I no longer had my cell phone…or clothes, for that matter. Well, my briefs—they’d kept those on. I watched with a whimper as they dropped my cell into a cup of water. But truthfully, that was the least of my problems. I wasn’t strapped down or chained to anything, which was strange. I was in one of the empty shitty rooms with five guys guarding me and Vladimir circling us.