Adrian lets out a sharp laugh.
Maksim lifts a hand without looking at him. He observes, "You're calm."
"I had time to practice," I say.
His mouth twitches. Then he turns and speaks in Russian.
Adrian snaps back, the argument reignites, and they exchange fast and heated words. I catch my name once. Blue's name twice.
Maksim finally raises his voice and barks, "Enough. She's pregnant, and you know you can't follow through with your plans."
Pregnant?
It cuts through the noise like a blade. My focus locks. My breath stutters.
Maksim turns toward me. "Is that correct?"
My head snaps up. My mouth hangs open, and no words come out.
Adrian glares at me, fury sharpened into something personal.
Obrecht looks stricken.
"Is it true Blue is pregnant?" Maksim asks, watching my reaction closely.
Joy hits first, bright and overwhelming, followed immediately by fear so sharp it steals my breath. A child. Our child. A life I don't get to protect from inside a concrete room with zip ties biting into my wrists.
I look at Adrian, then at Mikhail, then back to Maksim. "I didn't know. But...but we're having a baby?" Another gleeful shot of happiness hits me, and I grin.
Maksim studies me a second longer, then nods once as if something just clicked into place. He orders Mikhail, "Release him."
Mikhail hesitates.
"Now," Maksim snaps.
Mikhail lunges forward and cuts the zip ties. Blood rushes painfully back into my hands, pins and needles flaring. I grit my teeth and stay upright, unsure if I am allowed to stand.
Maksim flicks his pointer finger at me. "Get up. You're coming with me."
I force my body upright, take a moment for my shaky legs to find their footing.
"You were never here. This never happened. Understand?" he asks.
I nod.
"I expect answers when I speak to you," he belts out.
"Yes. I understand," I state.
"Good. Let's go," he orders, and leads me through the room and into one with a desk. He opens the front door.
Sunlight hits my eyes the second I step through the doorway, harsh and white, and I blink hard until the concrete blur turns into a parking area and two black SUVs. My legs wobble once, then lock. I keep moving because stopping gives Adrian time to change his mind, and I don't trust his restraint.
Maksim doesn't look back to check if I'm following. He expects it.
Mikhail trails behind us, hands clasped in front of him like he's escorting a guest instead of a man he zip-tied to a chair an hour ago.
My wrists throb where plastic bit into skin. My stomach clenches when I remember the shock, my body seizing, and the humiliation of being powerless. But I keep my face neutral, spine straight, and mouth shut.
