I open my eyes.
Mid-afternoon now. The sun slanting golden across the valley.
A vehicle approaches the compound—different from the others. Sleek, expensive, definitely not military.
Two men exit. Well-dressed. Moving with the kind of authority that makes my nerves jangle with recognition.
Leadership. Has to be.
They enter the main building with purpose, and my gut clenches.
“Something’s happening,” I breathe.
Nicolae passes me the binoculars. I focus on the building they entered.
More activity now. Guards moving with increased urgency instead of their usual bored rotations. Lights coming on in sections that were dark before. The entire compound shifting into higher alert.
Whatever’s happening, it’s big.
And it involves K.
I know it. Feel it in the same place where that hollow ache lives.
The pain flares in my chest, sharp enough to steal my breath.
Andrei notices immediately. “You are unwell.”
“I’m fine.” But my voice shakes, betraying me.
“We should take you back to the village—”
“No.” The word comes out harsher than I mean it. “I’m not leaving until Viktor’s team arrives. Not until I know K is out.”
“Even if it costs you?” Andrei asks quietly.
Live. You are what I come back for.
“He didn’t leave me,” I say. “I’m not leaving him.”
And on top of it all is the solid sense that I have to be near him.
The brothers exchange one of their loaded glances but don’t argue. Just return to watching the facility.
My phone buzzes. Text from Viktor.
ETA 90 minutes. Hold position.
Ninety minutes.
I can do ninety minutes.
Except the activity at the compound is increasing. More vehicles repositioning. Guard shifts changing with unusual frequency. The whole place radiating tension I can feel even from here.
Something’s definitely happening.
Something that can’t wait ninety minutes.
“I need to get closer,” I hear myself say.
