Page 86 of Betrayal and Vows

“Excuse me?”

“I’m leaving. I’m taking Lena and leaving Moscow.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

We start walking again. “They’ll find you. They will always find you.”

“They didn’t find me thirty years ago,” I remind him.

“You were a child. Easy to hide. Your only crime back then was living. If you take Mikhail’s bride, they will never stop searching. There’s nowhere to hide.”

“I’ll leave Russia.”

“And go where, Anton?”

"Anywhere." I adjust the strap of my shoulder holster. "America. Canada. Somewhere they can't reach."

"You're dreaming." Dmitri's voice is flat. "The Orlovs have connections everywhere. You think Vadim doesn't have people in New York? Los Angeles? You think the Bratva stops at Russian borders?"

I know he's right, but it doesn't change anything. "Then we'll disappear completely. New identities. I've done it before."

"You were five years old and presumed dead. This is different."

I check my watch again and head back toward the front door.

Even though I can’t touch her or even really look at her, I need to be near her.

I need to breathe in her essence.

We reach the main entrance and head for the stairs. I spot two of Mikhail’s guards in the hall that leads to Lena’s room.

Something's wrong. Everything about this feels wrong.

I can’t explain how I know, but I feel her distress.

I reach Lena's door and hear voices inside. I pause and listen. It sounds like Lena is crying.

And then I hear a man’s voice.

Mikhail.

My hand moves instinctively to my gun. Every muscle in my body coils tight, ready to spring.

I knock once and wait.

The door opens, and I quickly take in the scene.

Elena and Lena are standing next to each other.

Both white as death.

And Mikhail is standing there with that fucking smile on his face.

I hated that fucking look.

I can’t wait for the moment I will knock it off his face.