After Jason leaves, I can't help the grin that spreads across my face. I finally landed another big client. It’s only the beginning for my company!
I turn to share the news with Valentin, only to find his table empty.
I pack up my things, thinking he must have gone off for a call or something, but he doesn’t return. I begin to feel anxious when I see no sign of him.
I check my phone, but there are no messages or calls.
This is strange. Valentin wouldn't just leave, not when he was so insistent on watching over me. Did something happen?
I make my way toward the back of the café, thinking perhaps he went to the restroom.
“Valentin?” I call softly.
Suddenly, a hand shoots out from an alcove, grabs my wrist, and yanks me into the shadows.
My pulse spikes, and I open my mouth to scream, but another hand covers it as I'm pulled against a hard chest.
“Shhh,” Valentin's voice whispers in my ear. “Don't make a sound.”
My heart still pounds against my ribcage, the fear and rush of it all too fresh.
His lips brush my ear as he whispers, “We have company.”
My blood runs cold. I turn my head slightly, just enough to follow his gaze to the front of the café. Through the gap in the hallway, I can see two men in dark suits.
“Zakharov's men,” Valentin breathes, his arm tightening around my waist protectively. “They found us.”
Chapter 13 - Valentin
Knowing they’re here watching her has me wound up all tight.
The Zakharov men are scanning the café, and I fear they’ll come round back to see where she went. I have no time to explain that I disappeared before they noticed Gela had back-up, just so I could keep the element of surprise as a weapon.
“We need to move,” I whisper. “Now.”
I loosen my grip just enough to look down at her face. That panic edging my senses now dulls, with Gela finally in my arms.
“Bathroom,” I mouth, and she nods.
We slip deeper into the hallway, and I keep my body positioned between her and the entrance to this hall.
We move fast and reach the bathroom within seconds. I usher her inside the single-occupancy room and lock the door behind us.
“We have to get out.” I point to the square window opening high on the wall. “It's tight, but we have to make it work.”
“Are you serious?” she hisses.
“We can’t go out from the front. They’ll find us!” I insist. “I'll boost you up first.”
“Fine,” she says after throwing a fearful look at the door.
I lace my fingers together to make a step for her foot. “Ready?”
She takes off her heels, and I see her eyes widen with fear as she moves toward me. “You sure?” she asks again, like she’s praying for another way.
“This is it, Gela. Come on, please…”
She reluctantly places her feet in my hands and grips my shoulder for balance. I remain as still as I can, needing to get her out of here as quickly as I can. Just the thought of her ending up in their hands gets my heart racing.
