86. Tessa

86

Tessa

I 'm spiraling fast. Not knowing what's going to happen next is more than I can cope with. For weeks, I have managed to keep it together. Despite all the shit that's come my way - Enzo's betrayal, the attempted kidnappings, not once but twice, then the crash, not knowing if Harry and Kade are OK. Being locked in a bedroom while Elena has Chloe.

Most women would have crumbled. But not me. I'm stronger than I look. Or so I thought.

Now? I'm falling apart piece by piece and no matter how hard I cling on to the belief that Aleks will get me out of here, hope is fading fast.

Mashkov will want his money. The man who bought me will want his pound of flesh. Once I leave here, my father, Kade, Madden, and Cin won't stand a chance of finding me.

I'll never see them or my children again.

Tears fall, washing away the makeup Jasper so carefully applied not long ago. The corset I'm wearing is grubby, streaked with mascara and grime from the concrete floor. I want nothing more than to curl up into a ball, close my eyes, and sleep for an eternity.

But I can't. Even if the thought of giving up, of finding some way to end this misery, appeals, I can't do it. I have to keep trying to escape, if only for the sake of my children.

The metal nail file sits snugly between my breasts. A reminder that I have one shot of repelling anyone who tries anything. It won't stop someone from attacking me, but it might slow them down.

The door clicks open and Mashkov walks in. He doesn't look happy for a man who just earned a three million dollar payday.

"Get up."

I don't move. Not because I'm trying to piss him off, but because I literally can't move. My legs are like noodles. It's been so long since I ate anything that my body has run out of energy, both physically and emotionally.

"Get up!" he screams. "I don't have time for this!"

The sound of yelling and gunfire breaks through the fog in my head. What's happening?

Before I can scramble my thoughts into anything coherent, Mashkov has me by the arm and is yanking me to my feet.

Aleks bursts into the room and stops dead when he sees his father manhandling me.

Mashkov looks up, relief on his face. "Good, you're here. We need to get the fuck out of here. Kirov is on his way. She's coming with us. Kanevsky is nowhere to be found, so we'll have to do the handover later."

"Let me take her," Aleks says, his face blank as usual, despite his father's imminent breakdown.

"No, we leave together. Come. Kirov is clearing the way." Another one of Mashkov's henchmen appears, his gun in hand. He says something to Mashkov, who swears loudly in return.

Mashkov pulls me out of the door and down a corridor. The gunfire is getting closer. We pass a dead body, blood everywhere. Mashkov leads me through a steel door and up some concrete stairs.

Aleks isn't doing a thing to stop him. Kirov reaches the top of the stairs first and pauses before pushing open the door. There's a loud gunshot and he falls backward, tumbling back down the stairs, almost knocking Mashkov over.

The door opens, and Madden appears. His eyes widen when he sees me. It's enough of a distraction for Mashkov to raise his gun and shoot. Only Aleks shoves him hard and the shot goes wide.

Mashkov half turns, shocked. He wasn't expecting his son to betray him.

"No more, Otets . I'm done," Aleks growls, pointing a gun at his father.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Mashkov roars as Madden approaches. I try to pull away but Mashkov has his arm around my neck. I'm trapped. He presses the muzzle of his gun against my head and snarls at Aleks and Madden.

"One wrong move and she dies."

My heart slows down and a sensation of absolute calm rolls over me. There is nothing I can do now. My arms are pinned to my sides and I can't reach the metal nail file.

I close my eyes and wait. Tears fall as I realize I'm not going to see my kids grow up. The scent of blood, sweat, and cordite is nauseating.

Kirov stares up at me, his eyes blank as viscous red blood pools under his head. I wonder if he had any inkling he was going to die today. Did he think of his loved ones in the microsecond before he died? Did he regret the evil things he did in his life?

I regret many things.

Not telling the kids how much I love them.

Not telling the guys I love them.

Not repairing my relationship with my father.

It's too late now.

I feel rather than hear a presence behind me, but Mashkov is too busy focusing on Madden and Aleks.

"You think you can ruin my operation?" he spits. "This isn't the end!"

"Oh, I think it is," Madden smirks.

A gun fires. I scream. Blood and brain matter splatter all over my face and hair. Mashkov drops to the floor and I stumble backward with shock, falling against a hard chest.

"It's OK, sweetness, I got you." Cin's arm slides around my waist and pulls me upright. I soak up his pine and pepper scent and for the first time since Mashkov's men kidnapped me, I relax.