With the medicine in hand, I immediately turned to leave. Instinctively, I chose a different route back—longer but better lit. But I'd barely left the pharmacy when that feeling of being followed returned, stronger and clearer than before. This time, I could tell there was more than one set of footsteps.
Terror crashed over me like a freezing tide. I broke into almost a run, lungs burning from rapid breathing. The shops were all closed, the streets deserted except for my panicked footsteps and the danger shadowing me.
I saw a familiar alley ahead—a shortcut back to Yekaterina's apartment. Logic screamed not to go in, but fear had taken over, and I just wanted to cut short this suffocating escape, get back to our temporary sanctuary.
I plunged into the dark alley. But I'd only run a few steps when shadows emerged silently from both sides, completely blocking my path.
"Miss Anna Parker," one of the men spoke, voice flat and emotionless like cold metal. "Finally found you."
I wanted to scream but my throat felt crushed, no sound coming out. I wanted to run but my retreat was blocked by two more men. I clutched the medicine bag, fingernails nearly puncturing the plastic—Sofia was still feverish, waiting for me to come back!
"What... what do you want?" I used every ounce of strength to keep my voice from shaking.
"Someone wants to see you," another voice replied with a hint of impatience. "Cooperate, and this goes easy for everyone."
I instinctively stepped back but hit a solid chest. Despair seized me instantly. Just as I was about to struggle and scream, a wet, cold cloth clamped over my mouth and nose from behind!
A strong, sickeningly sweet chemical smell with a sharp edge flooded my nostrils and lungs! Ether! The memory flashed from college lab class.
"Sofia..." I thought of my daughter's name as consciousness slipped away. She was still feverish, waiting for me. Would Yekaterina protect her? Would Alexander find her?
Darkness swallowed me, my last thought a mix of worry for my daughter and longing for Alexander. Despite all our misunderstandings and pain, in this moment I realized pathetically that what I wanted most was for that man I'd tried so hard to escape to keep his promise and come save us.
Maybe leaving had been a mistake from the very beginning.
Chapter Thirty
Alexander
The black convoy tore through Brooklyn's streets, tires shrieking against asphalt. I sat in the back seat, hands clenched into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms.
After thirty-six hours of searching, we'd finally located Anna—at her friend Yekaterina Ivanova's apartment.
The convoy screeched to a halt outside the building. Before we'd even fully stopped, I kicked the door open. Ivan and his elite team followed close behind, heavy footsteps echoing through the quiet neighborhood with unmistakable menace. Scattered pedestrians fled like startled birds, fear thick in the air.
I ignored everything else, charging straight into the building and taking the stairs three at a time to the third floor. My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat hammering out Anna's name.
"305," Ivan's voice came from behind me, low and tense.
I stood before the door, drawing a deep breath, fighting to contain the rage and panic clawing at my chest. Then I hammered on the door, the sound reverberating down the empty hallway.
Seconds later, the door cracked open. A blonde woman peered out cautiously—Yekaterina. The moment she saw me, her face went whiteas paper, terror flashing in her eyes as she instinctively tried to slam the door shut.
But my hand was already braced against it.
"Mr. Volkov..." Her voice trembled uncontrollably.
"Where's Anna?" Direct and cold as winter, though I was already holding back everything I had.
"She... she..." Tears welled in Yekaterina's eyes. "She went to get medicine and never came back!"
The words hit like a sledgehammer to my skull. My vision went dark for a moment, ears ringing. "When?" I forced the question out, my voice stretched taut as a bowstring.
"About forty minutes ago," she sobbed. "Sofia had a fever... Anna went to the pharmacy for medicine... she said she'd be right back... but her phone goes straight to voicemail!"
Sofia was sick. Anna had risked going out for our daughter. The realization struck like a poisoned blade, hitting my deepest fears and guilt dead center.
"Where's Sofia?" My voice cracked higher, betraying a tremor I couldn't suppress. "How is she now?"
