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“I’h voice “You put your life in danger”

“Dania—”

“I knohat she did She ad”

“Is she all right?” I ask

The line of his jaw turns hard “She’ll be fine”

His face swi to die, aren’t we?”

Stroking his hands up ers on my shoulders “I won’t let you die, Katyusha” He pullsout of my mind orry You have no idea”

I free o to the corner “Look,” I say, lifting et these”

His gaze widens, then narrows as he walks over to me “I can’t decide if I should feel proud or spank you for even considering so the shards froht

“We can take them out when they open the door,” I say hopefully

“We will do nothing” He fixes me with a hard look “You will stay in the corner, as far away froer as possible I’ll take care of it”

Before I can argue, footsteps sound on the other side of the door

My heart beats wildly There’s only one reason why Stefanov’sus food

36

Alex

Vladih the doorframe

Hatred pushes up my throat I want to pounce on hiuards armed with automatic rifles follow on his heels If I were alone in this hole, I wouldn’t hesitate to rip out his heart But I have Katerina to consider I have to protect her, which I can only do if she doesn’t distract er

Tilting ive her a wordless command To my relief, she backs away slowly until the shado her shape I take a breath and clearinstinct take over I need to focus on survival and not on the wo I stand to lose