Page 159 of Betrayal and Vows

“I know you are. I’m enjoying my time with you.”

I slide my hands down his chest and slip them under his shirt.

Sex.

Yes, I am using sex as a weapon.

It’s the only way to distract him.

And if I am going to die any day, I want my fill of this man. I want to die a happy, sated woman. And I want him to feel the same.

“Solnyshko.”

I kiss him, quieting the protests.

“My cock will fall off at this rate.” His soft smile against my lips tells me my plan has been effective.

“Oh no. I should kiss it better.”

I drop to my knees in front of him, preparing to distract him in the best way.

But there’s a noise that stops us both.

He quickly pulls me to my feet. His finger goes to his lips, telling me to be quiet.

I grab the large branch we collected to use as one of our many crude weapons.

His hand goes to the gun that’s always at his side.

Three soft knocks. Pause. Two more. Pause. One final knock.

Anton relaxes marginally. "That's the signal." But his hand stays on his weapon as he approaches the door.

"Who is it?"

"A friend.”

Anton opens the door to reveal a woman in her forties with graying hair and tired eyes. She's wearing practical clothes and boots caked with mud.

"You're late," Anton says.

"Border patrol increased their sweeps. Had to wait for them to move on." She steps inside, glancing around the cottage withobvious distaste. "You're lucky I came at all. Word is there's a bounty on your heads that could buy a small country."

My stomach drops. "How much?"

"Enough to make even honest people consider betrayal." She looks between us. "Vadim Orlov is not known for his patience. Or his mercy."

"When do we leave?" Anton asks.

"Tonight. I have a car hidden in the woods. Private airfield is two hours away." She pulls a manila envelope from her jacket. "New passports. You're newlyweds from Prague on your honeymoon."

Anton takes the envelope, checking the documents quickly. I peek over his shoulder at my new identity. Anna Novák. The photo is mine, but everything else is foreign.

"The plane will take you to Madrid," the woman continues. "From there, you're on your own. Your mother's friend will meet you at the airport with keys to the safe house."

“Three o’clock. That’s when you leave. The guard has been given a nice gift. He will be taking a piss at three fifteen. If you leave earlier or later, you will not pass.”

Anton nods. “Understood.”