Time slows down.
"No!" I scream. "Roman, please—"
The shot is deafening in the enclosed hallway.
Maksim jerks, then goes still. Blood blooms across his shoulder, spreading dark and wet across his shirt.
"Maksim!" I'm crawling toward him, uncaring of my state of undress.
The guards holding him let him drop. He hits the floor hard, blood pooling beneath him.
"Take her to her room." Roman holsters the gun like he didn't just shoot someone. "Post guards. She doesn't leave. She doesn't see anyone."
"No!" I fight as hands grab me. "Let me go! He'll die!"
"Probably." Roman sounds bored. "That's rather the point."
"You can't! He’s your family!"
"Family means nothing." Roman finally looks at me, and his eyes are empty. "You should know that by now. Take her."
They drag me away. I fight every step, screaming Maksim's name, watching his still form get smaller as they haul me into my bedroom.
Blood. So much blood.
Is he breathing? I can't tell.
They throw me into my room and slam the door. I hear locks engaging—multiple locks—and then footsteps as guards take position outside.
I run to the door and pound on it. "Let me out! He needs help! Please!"
Nothing. No response.
I'm trapped while Maksim bleeds to death in the hallway.
The realization makes my legs give out. I slide down the door sobbing with my heart shattering.
This is my fault. If I'd been smarter, more careful—
But it was a trap. All of it. Roman planned this from the beginning.
And we walked right into it.
Hours pass. Or maybe minutes. Time has lost meaning.
I pace the room like a caged animal. Try the door again. The windows. Search for anything I could use as a weapon or a way out.
Nothing.
I'm completely helpless.
Is Maksim alive? Dead? Dying alone while I'm locked away?
The not knowing is torture worse than anything else.
Finally, I hear someone unlock the door.
I'm on my feet immediately.
