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Holy shit. They’re taking me to the Russian mafia.
My phone and bag are in the hotel room so I have nothing on me right now.
Pacing the length of the restroom, I stop near the mirror. There’s a chipped part that’s nearly falling off.
I don’t hesitate to grab it and hide it in the pocket of my denim jacket as I turn on the faucet.
My only option is to get rid of Daniels. The others are in the car, so I have maybe five minutes before they come looking.
You’re Mia’s Sokolov’s daughter and Nikolai Sokolov’s granddaughter. You can do this.
A loud bang comes from the outside. “Are you done?”
I stare at myself one last time in the mirror.
You’re a survivor, just like your mother, just like Reina.
The knob turns at the same time I open the door.
“Finally,” he grunts. “Walk in front.”
This is the only chance I have. My fingers tremble over the edge of the shard, cutting the skin.
Now or never.
I pretend to walk in front of Daniels then I turn abruptly and jam the shard of glass into his neck, just above the collarbone. His eyes widen and it takes him a second to realize what happened.
As he falls back, I fumble in his pocket and snatch away the plastic bag that has my bracelet then tuck it safely in my pocket.
This is mine, and he had no right to take it.
He reaches a hand for me, but I’m already gone.
I don’t focus on him or the thud I hear as he hits the ground. I don’t focus on the oozing blood, surrounding him in a pool as he wheezes.
The only thing I focus on is my escape route.
I dart past him toward the gas station’s shop. I’ll use their phone and call for help. Then I’ll keep running or hide away until the guys in the car are gone.
I’m in front of the store when a strong blow lands on the back of my neck. My feet fail me and I fall to my knees and then to my side, my vision turning blurry.
Russian voices hover over me, far then near then almost as if they’re speaking from a well. Someone kicks me in the ribs. I want to scream but no voice comes out.
Instead, darkness swallows me whole.
I’m so sorry, Mama.
I barge into Alexander’s office, my temper about to boil over. The secretary runs after me, telling me he has a meeting and all that blah blah blah, but I’m not hearing her.
The way here was a fucking blur. I drove like a madman and thankfully didn’t get myself or anyone else killed.
I can’t erase the way Reina looked as she went with them. That vulnerability she hides so well was visible in the slight tremors in her hands and how she tried to leave me as fast as she could.
But she’ll never leave.
Now that I know what Ari did, I’ll never let Reina out of my sight. Even before knowing Ari’s plans, I was already figuring out a way to keep Reina.
I meant it—I can’t stay away.
