Sergei ignored her.“Go.Now,” he told Keisha and Tiana.
“You’re hurt,” Keisha said, reaching for him when she spotted the blood on his shirt.
“It’s nothing.”He replied as he glanced down.
Tiana gasped.“You’re bleeding.”
“I’ve had worse.”Sergei nodded to the window.“There’s a tree right outside the window.Once you make the jump, you should be able to climb down low enough to land on the on the ground without injury.”
“Why does it sound like you’re staying?”she asked.
“Because I am,” he admitted.
“They’ll arrest you,” Keisha protested.“Your record—”
“It’s better my way.”He steadied as Keisha tore her shirt, pressing fabric to his wound, fingers slipping in blood.“Why?”she asked, voice cracking.“Your status—”
“Tiana matters more.”His eyes locked hers.“Your work does.”
Her chest cracked open a little more.Weeks fighting his protection, now his blood for Tiana.Sergei’s hand covered hers, pressing.“I find you as soon as it’s safe,” he said.“Now move.Nadia and Mateo are waiting for you.”
Sirens wailed, closer.Tiana looked at them.“We can’t leave him,” she said, voice firm despite her fear.
“We’re not.”Keisha tied the bandage, basic first-ain training kicking in.“But he’s right.We need to go.”
Sergei groaned, her knot tight.Sirens screamed.Vera swore in Russian, struggling.“Tiana first,” Sergei said.“Then you, Keisha.”
Keisha helped Tiana to the sill, steadying her.“Jump straight,” she said.“I’m right behind.”
Tiana nodded, breathing deep, and jumped.There was a loud thump, then her shaky voice.“I’m okay!”
Keisha turned to Sergei.
“Why?”she asked again.
“You know why.”
Trust burned raw, earned in blood.Sergei bled for Tiana, for her.Sirens closed in.Keisha gripped the sill before releasing it to jump.
