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Here goes everything.

I give her a wink, silently telling her I’ve got this, then look at the three men again. “Who’s first?”

As the big guy starts walking toward me, Grigori says, “It’s nothing personal, Teller. No one liked Bastien, and he was running the organization into the ground. You did me a favor.”

“Love the way you repay it,” I mutter as the big guy and I circle each other.

He swings first, fast for a man his size. I block his arm, but his other fist slams into my ribs, pain flashing hot through my side and forcing the air from my lungs.

Ignoring the pain, I step in close, driving my elbow toward his throat, but he blocks. I headbutt him twice, and as he staggers backward, I move in and begin to deliver blow after blow to his sides and face.

The fucker lands a punch to my jaw that snaps my head sideways, the taste of blood bursting over my tongue.

My arms feel heavy, muscles burning, but I keep moving.

The fight turns into a showdown of who has more stamina.

He’s done nothing but wait for me the entire day, and I know he can easily outlast me.

When he grabs the front of my shirt, yanking me forward while pulling his arm back, I let it happen, making him think he has me right where he wants me.

“No!” Annie screams, then I bring my fist up with every ounce of strength I possess, slamming it into his jaw. Bone cracks, and his eyes go wide, then Annie’s on his back, pulling at his hair and sinking her teeth into his ear.

For a split second, I’m stunned out of my mind, then I pull the knife from my pocket and swipe it across his throat.

Annie lets go and drops to her ass before scrambling out of the way as the fucker sinks to his knees.

Knowing he will die, I turn to look at Grigori and his guard dog, the most dangerous one.

There’s so much fucking pride in my chest for Annie. I’m definitely training her once we’re in Peru. She has the guts to become a good fighter.

“So it’s true, redheads have fiery tempers,” Grigori chuckles darkly while I catch my breath. “I wonder how long it will take to wear her down.” His eyes are locked on mine. “What do you think it will take to break her?”

You’ll never find out.

My muscles tense, and I do my best to ignore the psychological attack because if I let it get to me, we’re dead.

Chapter 29

Annie

I’m out of breath on Rowan’s behalf. I have no idea how he keeps fighting or where his strength comes from, but it’s both incredible and scary to witness.

The guy in the suit taunts Rowan, and after being told how the Bratva tortures people, I know what the unspoken threat is and hope it doesn’t distract my man.

Feeling very edgy because of all the violence and death, my finger moves to the trigger of the machine gun.

If I had half of Rowan’s speed and accuracy, I could end this now. They won’t expect me to shoot.

No one’s even looking at me.

Just two bullets, and we’re home free.

But if I miss, they might draw their guns.

My feet shift on the dock, my eyes darting between Rowan and the man who’s only slightly bigger than me. Physically, he doesn’t look like a match for Rowan, but as he moves, my stomach rolls with a nauseated feeling.

There’s something so dangerous about him that it makes my flight instinct threaten to kick in. I can’t look away, even though every part of me wants to. My eyes are glued to the men as they circle each other.