“Fuck.” I sweep the living room, then the kitchen, heart thundering. There’s no sign of Bella. No sign of Lily. Just the raw, static charge of something gone wrong.
My chest feels tight. I scan the living room, then the kitchen. “Bella!” I call, voice low but desperate. “Lily!”
Nothing. Just the echo of my own voice.
I step into the bedroom. Sheets torn, a child’s blanket on the floor. The closet door half open, boxes inside overturned. I’m too late. I press my fist against the wall, biting back a roar.
Footsteps thunder down the hall behind us.
Nikolai wheels around, gun half-drawn, but I see her first—a young woman, wild-eyed and breathless, clutching her bag like a weapon.
She stops dead in the doorway when she sees us. “What did you do to them?” she gasps, voice rising. “Where are they? Did you hurt them? If you hurt them?—”
“Stop.” My voice is rough, but not unkind. I put the gun away and raise both hands.
Her eyes narrow, scanning my face, flicking from me to Nikolai and back again. “Where are they? Why are you here? Who are you?”
My chest tightens. “I’m here because I’m trying to find her. Someone else got to them first.”
Maya shakes her head, jaw clenched. “I don’t believe you.”
“I would never hurt Bella. Never.”
Her eyes are huge, darting between me and Nikolai. “You—you’re him. You’re the guy from the airport, from—” She stops herself, looks me up and down, and I see it click. “You’re Aleksander.”
I nod once. “Yes.”
Maya’s breathing is shaky, furious, terrified. “What did you do? She was safe with me—she was fine—then you show up and now the place looks like a crime scene. Who are you? What did you drag her into?”
I move closer, careful, hands still visible. “Maya, listen to me. I’m here because she’s not safe. Not from me—from everyone else. I was trying to find her before they did.”
She shakes her head, voice trembling. “Who? Who the hell are you people?”
Nikolai cuts in, blunt. “We’re not the ones who did this. Someone else got here first.”
I see the realization dawn in her face—horror, confusion, fear. “Are they dead?” she whispers.
“No,” I say, fierce and certain, because I have to believe it. “They’re not dead. Bella’s too smart for that. But someone wanted her—wanted both of them—enough to break down your door and take them.”
She wipes a tear with the back of her hand. “If you ever cared about her, you’ll find her. And if you don’t, I swear to God I’ll?—”
“I care,” I say, letting her see the truth in my face. “More than you know.” I step closer, keeping my voice low, urgent. “Listen to me. Did you see anyone before you left? Did anyone call or threaten her?”
Tears slip down her cheeks. She shakes her head. “No, I didn’t—she was scared, but she said it was you she was running from—she was trying to keep Lily safe?—”
“I know,” I say, jaw tight. “But whoever took her, they’re not keeping her safe. I’m the only one who can.”
She meets my eyes, searching for something she can trust. “If you hurt her?—”
I cut her off. “I would never. I swear it.”
Behind me, Nikolai is moving through the rooms, careful, methodical. He gives me a look—a silent question.Next steps?
I squeeze the bridge of my nose, trying to think, to breathe. My fear is a live wire under my skin. I was too slow. I let her down. But I’m not giving up. Not now.
I look back at Maya, my voice raw. “Tell me everything you know. Anyone who might’ve known she was here. Any name, any detail. We don’t have much time.”
Maya nods, swallowing hard, finally realizing I’m not leaving without answers.
