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I try not to show any fear or hesitation on my face as he walks closer to me. He kneels beside me and grabs my chin, searching my eyes for anything that might give him an advantage. But there’s nothing left for him; I’ve already made the call to Nikolai, and I know there isn’t anything they’ll do to me.
“You still need me alive if you want my baby,” I whisper.
He pushes me away, sending me sprawling back onto the floor with a loud thud.
“So you think,” he sneers. “We have enough.” He stands up, motioning Gunsyn toward the door. “We have what we need,” he says casually before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a syringe.
My eyes widen at the sight.
“Don’t worry,” he reassures me as the needle pierces my skin. “This won’t harm the baby … much. And when you wake, Eden Zakharovna, you’ll find yourself in a brand-new world. A far better one than what your cousin will have.”
“Wh—” I try to speak, but my tongue feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. My mouth refuses to cooperate, and I fight to keep my eyes focused on Alexander.
“You should be glad.” His snake-like eyes are practically gleaming. “I’ve kept your cousin safe from Gunsyn. But what happens to her after … Well, that’s no longer in my hands to control.”
No. Please no!I want to scream, but I can’t.Don’t hurt her!
The needle is extracted and thrown aside. Exhaustion burns like fire through my veins, and I slip into a forced sleep. When I wake up, all I hear is the sound of a car outside. Gunsyn barely glances up from his phone as Alexander steps through the door. I sit up straight, staring at him wildly.
“Where is she?” I demand.
Alexander grins at me, a cruel smile spreading on his face. “Gone. Best not think about her anymore, Eden Zakharovna. It won’t do you or her any good.”
I feel a wave of panic wash over me.
What happened to Mercy while I was knocked out?
27
EDEN
I joltawake from the sudden noise of glass breaking somewhere in the house. Having spent the night on the dining room floor, I sit up quickly. Holding myself still, I listen for movement, but it’s silent again. That’s not reassuring. Outside, it’s an overcast morning. But for now, I’m still here and alive. I tug at the zip tie binding my ankle to the chair, and the chair’s legs bang against the hardwood floor louder and louder as I desperately try to free myself. The plastic cuts into my skin, leaving red marks on my ankle and across my fingertips. I wince in pain but keep trying, wondering who will come through that door next.
I freeze when the door opens, but when I see Nikolai, my tension deflates in a loud, pent-up breath.
“Eden.” Nikolai takes hold of my shoulders and pulls my mouth hard against his. My eyes close as the relief of seeing him overcomes me. But we don’t have time to stare into each other’s eyes. He cuts the zip tie with a pocketknife and quickly releases me.
“They took Mercy somewhere.” I hobble onto my feet, but pins and needles make me limp, and I lean on his arm for support.
Nikolai looks up at the ceiling as if he can look through it. “Zakhar is upstairs.” He turns to me. “Who’s here?” he asks.
“I only saw Gunsyn and Alexander,” I whisper, staring at the door.
He faces me and holds onto me tightly. “Eden, stay close. Don’t leave my side.”
Nikolai stares at me with a look that I don’t like. He must know what will happen to Mercy but refuses to share the gruesome details with me. Instead, Nikolai guides me into the hallway, his arm tightly wrapped around me as if he wants to make sure I won’t leave his side. We move to the foot of the stairs and listen, when I hear a click behind us.
Gunsyn stands behind us, between us and the front door, with his gun drawn. “You found us sooner than expected, Kolya.” He glares at Nikolai. “You had nothing to worry about. We want what she’s carrying.”
Nikolai steps in front of me, shielding me with his body. “What are you playing at, Gunsyn?”
“You’ve been a disappointment, Kolya.” Gunsyn lifts the gun higher, aiming it toward us. “You don’t honor your elders, and I will have my due respect.”
Nikolai’s eyes narrow as a sneer lifts the corner of his mouth. “Respect is earned, old man. Not taken by force.” He shifts his stance even closer to me. “You will not touch her again.”
“I’ve already taken her from you twice,” Gunsyn laughs. “Perhaps the third time will be the last.”
Like a spark shooting into the air, Nikolai launches himself at Gunsyn and sends them both sprawling to the floor. Watching, I back away while they roll in a blur of limbs and fists. They grapple for control of the gun, and their bodies strain against each other until there’s a deafening bang and a howl of pain. I hold my breath. And when they come apart, the gun is in Nikolai’s hand, and Gunsyn is clutching his bloody shoulder.
