It hums as it climbs, the numbers blinking too slowly for the speed my thoughts are moving. My reflection stares back at me from the mirrored walls, eyes too bright, skin pale, mouth set like I'm bracing for impact. I press my back against the wall and force my feet to stay planted because pacing inside a steel box won't get me there any faster.
The doors open into quiet luxury. Soft lighting, Italian marble, and an exceptional view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline appear. I step farther into the penthouse, my pulse thudding so hard I swear it has its own sound.
Aspen looks up from the kitchen island, a glass of water in her hand. The moment her eyes land on me, her posture shifts. She sets the glass down and rushes over to me. "Blue?" What's wrong?"
The weight I've been carrying crashes straight through my chest. My legs wobble, and I grab the back of a chair to keep myself upright.
"Where's Uncle Maksim?" I say, my voice breaking on his name.
"Maksim," Aspen calls out, then grabs my hands. "Come sit down." She steers me to the sofa and repeats in a louder tone, "Maksim."
He appears, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, his crystal-blue eyes sharp, and his expression full of concern. "Blue. What's going on?"
All the emotions I've been holding together come rushing out. I sob, "They took him. My dad took him."
Aspen's eyes widen. "Who?"
I choke out, "Red. They took him this morning."
Horror fills Aspen's expression. She glances at Maksim.
His jaw tightens. He steps closer. "Who took him?"
"Mikhail. On my father's orders." Hot tears stream down my cheeks.
The room stills. The air grows thicker, heavier, as if bracing for impact.
"How do you know?" Maksim asks.
"I just do. Please. Get him. Don't let my dad kill him!" I beg.
Aspen swears under her breath. "Jesus."
"Please. Bring him back to me," I plead.
Maksim studies my face, his gaze sharp and assessing.
Aspen moves closer, sliding her arm around my shoulders. "Try to breathe."
I shake my head. "I can't. Please, Uncle Maksim. Tell me where they are, or please go get him! Dad will kill him."
Maksim's eyes darken. "Your father doesn't do anything without a reason. What has this Red done?"
I cry out, "I love him. Please."
"Why does Adrian want to kill him?" Maksim pushes.
"Be-because he loves me."
Aspen softly says, "Maksim."
Why hasn't he left yet?
I blurt out, "I'm pregnant. Don't make my baby grow up without a father!" The words drop into the room and detonate.
Aspen freezes. Her breath catches, sharp and audible. "You're pregnant?"
I dig the lie further. "Yes!"
