"Grab the laptop and follow me downstairs." Pietro moves toward the door. "We need to use our brains for this."
I glance back at the laptop. The green dot continues moving south. Steady. Constant.
Still alive.
"Dmitri." Pietro's voice cuts through my focus. "Five minutes. That's all I'm asking. Five minutes to do this the smart way instead of the stupid way."
"Fine." I grab the laptop, tucking it under my arm. "But we start now. Not in five minutes. Not in three. Now."
"Agreed."
We move into the hallway. Igor struggles to his feet, one hand pressed against his mangled ear.
"Stay here," I tell him. "Get that looked at."
"Fuck that." Igor's voice is rough. Blood continues streaming down his neck. "You need every man you have."
"I need you alive and functional." I point to the chair. "Call the doctor. That's an order."
Igor's mouth opens. Closes. He drops back into the chair with a curse.
Pietro and I head for the stairs. The main floor of Nexus looks like a war zone. Broken glass crunches under our feet. Tablesoverturned. Chairs splintered. Blood smeared across the floor in dark streaks.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Vittoria
They drop me into a wooden seat. My head lolls forward. I feel them working on my ankles, cutting the zip ties only to replace them with rope. They bind my legs to the chair. Then my wrists. Arms pulled behind my back, secured to the chair's frame.
"That should hold her."
"Better. Boss'll be here in five."
Footsteps retreat. A door closes.
Silence.
I crack one eye open. Just slightly.
Empty room. Concrete floor. Exposed beams overhead. Windows covered with plywood. A single bulb hangs from the ceiling, casting harsh light.
Warehouse. Abandoned, by the look of it.
I'm still wearing my pink dress. The fabric is torn at the hem, streaked with dirt. My gold jewelry remains—necklace, earrings, bracelet. And most importantly, my heels.
They didn't search me. Didn't strip me down.
Amateurs.
Or they don't care.
The tracker must be still active.
I just need to stay alive until he gets here.
The door opens.
I snap my eyes shut. Let my head hang forward.
