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Dimi was at her back in an instant, dragging her chair out from under the table. “As much as I’m enjoying the view of you in that remarkable dress, it’s gotta go. There’s a change of clothes in the ladies’ room. Leave your phone, purse, and any jewelry in there. Oh, before you go, take the wire off and place it on the table, please.”

Chapter 2

Do You Hate Me?

Prudence

The strong odor of copper mixed with ammonia permeated the air. It didn’t take a genius to figure out the foul stench was coming from my blood- and urine-soaked clothes. However, the lack of decent hygiene was the least of my concerns. There were more pressing matters to contend with, like the fact I had no pain. No part of my body had been spared during the torture sessions, so why all of a sudden did I feel nothing? Even more concerning was the fire which danced across the surface of my skin even as I shivered uncontrollably. Infection and shock were dueling for dominance. My body needed fuel to recover, but since the moment I was taken, I hadn’t been offered a bite of food or a drop of water. I was bait on a hook in whatever deadly game Machail was playing, there was no denying it.

While the warehouse around me bustled with activity, I made peace with reality. The odds of making it out of there alive weren’t worth betting on. I was well and truly fucked. Or so I thought, until two words brought a modicum of hope to my sea of despair.

“He’s here.”

Proving to be spineless, Machail retreated behind me, ordering five of his men to surround us. Instead of fear, an invisible wave of energy coasted over my body, like a balm to my soul. Zak. I felt his presence before I saw him enter the building through a side door, trailing behind another one of Machail’s goons. Kasimir, Makari, and Dimitri followed closely behind, along with a beautiful blonde woman I’d never seen before. Tears I thought had all dried up, slid down my face as his devastating gaze locked on mine. His eyes flared wide with rage for one brief second before he locked his expression down.

“I brought the Fed, Machail,” Zak spat, coming to a stop fifty feet away. “Now you need to hold up your end of the bargain. Release Miss Turner.”

“The deal has changed, Zakhar. I’ve become rather fond of your little assistant.”

Thick fingers wrapped around my throat. If there had been anything in my belly, it would’ve been expelled when Bolotov licked the side of my face. I whimpered behind the nasty rag they’d shoved in my mouth.

Several things happened at once. Kaz muttered, “fuck.” Zak yanked a gun from the back of his pants, aiming it directly at the asshole behind me. And another group of armed men entered the fray, causing my captor and his men to back away.

“You’re a coward and dead man, Machail.”

Zak and his friends edged closer, moving in such a way they put themselves between me and danger. That was when I noticed the woman was in handcuffs and reality––once again––smacked me in the face. Kidnapping a federal agent? What the hell was he thinking? We’d have to have a serious conversation about his recklessness later––if I survived, of course.

“Get her out of here, Agent Biggs,” Kasimir muttered, slipping something into the woman’s hand, before kneeling behind me.

“Give me a gun,” the woman responded.

The ropes around my ankles and wrists were gone an instant later. He pulled a small pistol from a holster at his ankle, holding it out, then pulling it back as if second-guessing whether it was a wise move. With his movement, a fiery pain sliced through my limbs.

“Kasimir,” I whimpered.

“Fuck,” he grunted, flipping the gun around to give her the grip. “If you shoot me, I’m gonna be pissed. Now go.”

“Hey, Prudence.” The blonde squatted down. “I’m Special Agent Alaina Biggs with the FBI. You can call me Lanie. This is gonna suck, especially since I know you’re hurting, but we need to move, and we need to do it before your boyfriend starts shooting up the place.”

At the mention of Zak, I sought him out. He and Bolotov were squared off, guns drawn, pointed at each other. His facial expression said more than the angry Russian words he hurled at the man who’d held me hostage. Zakhar was positively rabid.

Blinking, I turned my gaze back to Lanie and said truthfully, “He’s my boss, not my boyfriend.”

“Not for long, honey. Can you walk?”

No. Though that’s not what I said out loud.

“My leg is pretty sore, but I’ll do my best. And it’s Pru.”

Understatement of the century. My right leg took the brunt of the knife damage. Several of the cuts were bone-deep. It was red, swollen, and hot to the touch. Putting weight on it hurt like hell, however I’d do whatever it took to get out of this god-forsaken place.

“Put your arm around my shoulder. I’ll help you.”

Kasimir positioned himself between us and the brewing danger. Leaning heavily against the federal agent, we slowly made our way toward the nearest exit, each step more agonizing than the last. Just when I thought we’d made it, gun shots pierced the air. Lanie gingerly pushed me down behind a concrete pillar and began firing the pistol Kasimir had given her.

“Fuck you, Vlaschenko. I should have killed you when I killed your parents.” Machail said before two final shots brought an end to the madness.

Shadows swirled at the edges of my vision, threatening to pull me under. I fought against the darkness, but with every blink, I lost chunks of time.