grabbing hold of my arms, they yank me to my feet. I struggle against their grip on me, but it’s only a waste of energy.
A helplessness I haven’t felt before shudders through me.
Tristan.
The one who’s in charge sneers as he pulls his arm back, and I try to brace myself for the blow. His fist connects with my jaw, sending a sharp ache through the side of my face and skull. It feels as if my brain rattles, and my vision goes spotty. Sweat beads on my skin, and even though it was sweltering a second ago, an icy chill creeps over my skin.
Before I’ve recovered from the blow, his fist connects with the exact same spot. My mouth fills with blood, the copper taste exploding over my tongue. My vision goes black, and even my teeth ache.
My sight blurs as it comes back, and then he grabs hold of my aching jaw, his fingers digging painfully into my skin. He forces my face up until our eyes meet, and then he chuckles, “Beg for mercy.”
I don’t know where the bravery comes from, but I spit in his face, dotting his skin with droplets of blood.
I expect him to finish what he started, but instead, he begins to laugh while he pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket. He wipes my spit and blood from his face.
When his eyes lock with mine again, he actually looks impressed. “Now I understand why you’re his woman.”
He reaches for the back of a chair and drags it closer to me. “Sit.”
I’m shoved down on the wooden chair, but their hands keep a tight hold of my shoulders.
My eyes stay on the leader as he takes a seat at the table. Taking his time, he straps his watch onto his left wrist. His dark eyes drift over the ankle boots, jeans, and coral-colored sweater I’m wearing. “Remove the shackle.”
One of the men comes to crouch by me, and disgust ripples through me when his fingers brush over my ankle. I want to take the chance and kick him, but knowing I need to get free of the shackle, I keep still.
“Hana Cutler,” the one in charge mutters, drawing my attention back to him. It doesn’t surprise me that he knows my name.
“Your man interfered in my business.”
I figured as much.
“He cost me millions of dollars.”
I give him a I-don’t-give-a-fuck look, but it only makes him chuckle.
“Brave but stupid,” he mutters. He leans forward, resting his forearms on his thighs as his expression darkens. “I can make some of my money back by selling you. Someone will pay a lot to break your spirit.”
Fear claws down my spine, settling hard in the pit of my stomach.
Tristan, hurry.
“But.” The word is sharp, and the man has my full attention as I wait to hear my fate. “Killing you will send a message that I’m not to be fucked with.”
The threat tightens every muscle in my body as my fight or flight instinct flares through me.
‘Fight, my light,’ I hear Tristan’s voice as if he’s right here. ‘Your darkness is coming.’ My body darts forward before it even receives the message from my brain.
I just have to stay alive long enough for Tristan to get here.
With the single purpose, my fist connects with the man’s cheek. Hands grab hold of me, and I let out a feral cry as I’m yanked back. I kick. I scratch. I slap and punch. I do everything I can, but the last thing I see before fists pummel me is the sneer pulling at the man’s busted bottom lip.
Chapter 26
TRISTAN
Alexei stops the SUV in the middle of fucking nowhere.
Glancing around us and seeing nothing but grass and trees, I ask, “Where the fuck are we?”
Alexei points to our right. “There’s a house a couple of miles that way. It’s where Prifti will have Hana. He wants us to come.”
“No element of surprise,” Demitri adds. “Be ready.”
Pulling one of the Glocks out, I take the safety off before climbing out of the car. Keeping the gun pointed at the ground, I join the others in front of the vehicles.
Alexei takes a moment to look at his men, then his eyes lock on Demitri’s. “Don’t die.”
Demitri nods, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
When Alexei’s eyes meet mine, he says, “Stay close to me.”
Just wanting to get to Hana, I nod.
When we begin to walk, Alexei takes the lead with Demitri and me flanking him. I notice how Demitri shadows every movement Alexei