Chapter 10
Alex stared at the spot where Anna had appeared. She didn’t seem as confused or frightened this time. Maybe because he’d trimmed his beard and combed his hair.
It had been months since she’d visited, and he’d almost not bothered to make himself presentable that morning, but something had whispered that he should bother.
God, the hurt in her eyes made his heart ache. It was killing him, sitting in his room and doing nothing. But there was nothing he could do. Not unless he wanted his men beaten again.
After she’d visited the last time, he’d sunk into a deep depression and the men had plotted another escape plan behind his back. It had gone wrong. Horribly wrong.
He’d protested, saying he couldn’t risk someone else dying. They hadn’t listened and someone else had died. Jason. The same terrible way Michael and Jesse had died.
Then, the guards had beaten Seth, Tony, Greg, and Erich, and forced Alex to watch. They were still in bed, recovering. He wasn’t sure Erich would ever walk again. Not without a doctor’s help, and Vitaly was not willing to allow the surgery his cousin needed.
Once everyone had recovered, he would make them swear there would never be another escape attempt. He had to trust that his family was taking care of Anna, and that someday they would be free. But he wouldn’t risk another man dying. Or being beaten within an inch of his life.
He stood and stared out the window again, closing his eyes as a breeze brushed his cheek. The weather had turned warm and he was thankful his window opened. It had been nailed shut until recently. They weren’t allowed outside anymore.