Page 117 of Caged

I’m proud of her for escaping, but I could have spanked her for goading Dmitri on. What if he had decided to just run that spike through her heart instead?

I couldn’t have handled that.

The hall is clear. When we step out, I can hear the unmistakable sound of gunfire beyond the walls.

“Sounds like the cavalry arrived.” It takes me a second to get my bearings, but I lead her down to the left where I think her brother might be.

“Do you think Tatiana came through on the deal?” she whispers from behind me.

“I doubt it. From what I hear, she never works with anyone.” When I glance around the corner, I can see two men guarding a room ahead.

Bingo.

“I’ll take the big one,” I say in a hushed tone.

She doesn’t acknowledge me, but throws something cloth at me. “Hold this.”

Then she struts past me without a shirt on.

What the fuck?

I try to get a hold of her elbow, but she moves too fast.

“Excuse me? I’m lost.” Standing just past the edge of the wall where they can see her, I can hear them both exclaim before she darts back toward me.

“Ready?” She grins, holding up her knives.

“I fucking love you,” I growl just as the first comes into view.

Just as the blade of my machete lands in his throat, she throws one of her knives to bury it in the center of the second man’s chest.

They both fall to the ground with barely a gurgle.

I leave my weapon for the chance to press her against the wall and cover her exposed breasts with my palms. “These are mine.”

Her lip trickles fresh blood when she bites it.

“I told you to stop that.” I lean in and wipe away the droplet with my thumb.

“I need my shirt. I’m not rescuing my brother half naked.” She smiles, making the split worse before she winces.

I toss her clothes back and retrieve our blades.

One of the guards is carrying a pistol. That makes me feel a little better now that I’m armed.

There isn’t a window into the cell, but it doesn’t stop her from throwing the door open.

Huddled on a small bed, a form hides beneath the thin blanket.

“Daniil? Danny?” Mila steps closer, her knives down near her sides.

It better be him.

The person turns, blinking against the light and revealing a bandage on the side of his head.

“Mila?” His voice is hoarse, but gains in energy as he sits up. “Is it really you?”

With a small cry that breaks my heart, she drops her blades with a clatter and leaps forward, hugging him tightly while sobbing.

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