Page 74 of Sacred Vow

“I only want the information I have coming to me.” Mason tightens his grip on my arm so much, his fingernails puncture my skin.

“The only thing you have coming is a bullet. Let her go.” I’ve never seen such calm rage before. If I was standing where Mason stood, I would be terrified. There’s no sign of reprieve in Andrei’s expression. He looks ready and able to kill.

“If you’ve already decided to kill me, why would I let her go? Why wouldn’t I take her with me?” He presses his gun against my ribs, but my eyes are steady on Andrei.

Nothing bad is going to happen to me.

Not with Andrei here.

“Because your son’s fate hasn’t been decided yet,” Andrei answers with a level tone. He’s being casual, like this isn’t bothering him at all. But I’ve seen glimmers of the storm, and I know this is just the quiet before it.

“Joseph! Calvin!” Mason screams out, yanking me along with him as he inches his way toward the compactor.

“Your men?” Viktor laughs. “They were easy to get rid of.”

Mason gasps, but it’s so soft, I’m not sure they hear it.

“I just want her fucking memory. Craig told her where it is, and I want it.” He turns me to face the compactor. “Remember! Goddammit, what did he tell you!” He shakes me so hard my neck snaps back.

It all pours into my mind. All of it. Every second of the horror is back in my mind and I can’t breathe.

I glance over at Andrei. Tears build in my eyes.

He was there that night.

The man he fought slashed his chest.

That scar.

It’s from saving me.

Andrei’s gaze still hasn’t landed on me. He won’t look at me.

I swallow, take a deep breath, and turn back to Mason.

“There’s nothing,” I say. “I wish I could remember, but I don’t.”

He shakes me. “Lying bitch!” He’s so enraged, he shoves me to the ground, pointing his gun at me.

In the next instant a shot rings out and Mason falls backward. I turn away, putting my hands over my eyes. I don’t want to see. There’s no more room for such carnage in my mind.

A moment later, I’m lifted off the ground and into Andrei’s firm lap. His eyes finally meet mine.

“Izzy.” He hugs me to him. “Are you all right?” He cradles my chin in his large hand, turning my face one way then the other. “He hit you.” Rage shakes his voice.

“I’m fine. I promise I’m fine.” I raise my arms over his head. My wrists are still chained together.

“You remember,” he says, wiping away the tears free-flowing down my cheeks.

“I do.” I nod. “All of it.”

“I should have gotten to you sooner.”

“They shot you.” I jerk back, taking my arms from around him, realizing I’m pressing on the wound. His shirt is wet. “I jumped out of the car.”

He nods. “You did.”

“I’m sorry.”

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