Page 17 of Kept By The Agents

Tilting my head, I studied Suave. His face had lost the youthfulness I'd once known, but he'd grown even more handsome. How was that even fair? After everything he'd put me through, he shouldn't be this tempting. Especially because of that. I needed to snap out of whatever this was. The last thing I needed was a trip down memory lane that would only end in heartbreak for me.

As much as I knew I should be focusing on the fact that the Raleka knew I was here in Russia and had possibly set a trap for me, I didn't want to. Thinking about that last night had done nothing but produce mind-numbing terror. That was part of the reason I was so zeroed in on the handsome men holding me hostage. Protecting you, my inner voice corrected. Either description worked. Though, I wasn't stupid enough to leave their sides at this point. Not after what the Raleka did to my apartment back home. It was much easier to stay here with them, where it was safe, and not think about what could happen to me.

Although what might happen staying here was a whole other issue.

Suave's huge shoulders tensed. "Incoming."

Frowning, I opened my mouth to ask what that meant, but I was grabbed from behind. A squeal, muffled by the hand over my mouth, erupted at being snatched right off my feet. Brando carried me off to the bedroom and for just a second my libido fired up. Then he turned, plopped me down, and shut the door in my stunned face.

I stepped forward and tested the handle, but it didn't budge. Had he locked it? From the outside? That made no sense. No. The jerk was holding it shut so I couldn't get out. "Asshole," I breathed out in frustration.

Releasing a long breath, I tried to calm myself. These men were bringing out the worst in me right now. While I was glad they were helping me, I also wanted to rant and rave. How was I supposed to just forgive Suave for everything, including barging into my life again and messing with both my story and my mission to save Elena, and work with them? I was so damn confused. One minute I wanted to jump one—or all—of them. Next I wanted to sneak out a window and search all of Russia for Elena. It was impossible to keep my emotions in check right now. Which meant the best thing to do was sit tight.

I still wasn't sure I believed what they were saying. How could this have happened? Boris was a dear friend of Alyona's. Alyona would never give me up. It would hurt her as much as losing Elena had.

Doubt started to creep in. Someone must have handed me over to the Raleka though, and who else knew about me?

The door opened and I glared at Brando as I walked out. "Don't do that. I'm more than happy to go where you ask-"

He snorted in disbelief. He had me there. I hadn't exactly been cooperative so far. He jerked his head, motioning to something by the door.

As the man took off his hat, I gasped and rushed forward. Something stopped me in my tracks and looking over my shoulder, I saw Weaver gripping my arm. His handsome face was marred with a frown as he watched Boris. Suspicion radiated off him in waves.

Suave had taken up a stance in front of the door, preventing Boris from leaving, and Brando was glued to my other side. They were all watching him with mistrust. The tension in the room was thick and stifling.

"Please tell my friends here that you didn't turn me over to the Raleka, Boris," I requested.

"I didn't," he said. My shoulders sagged with relief. "But…" I gave him a pleading look. Whatever it was, I didn't want him to say it. I knew, deep down, it wasn't good. "I'm the reason you were found."

I frowned as I tried to puzzle that out. "How is it your fault if you didn't turn me in to them?"

"One of their men came by my home."

My heart sank at the look on his face. Sorrow, rage, and regret were all mixing together in his features. His mouth was turned down at the tips as he told me what had happened.

"He claimed someone was investigating them and that they suspected my brother. I wasn't home yet from the market." He scrubbed a hand over his face. "They beat my brother badly until he was barely conscious." His eyes pleaded with me to understand. "He was still refusing to give you up. At least, until they searched the house and found his youngest daughters." He swallowed hard, fighting back tears. "They were dragging them out of the house. Threatening to sell them to places where we would never find them. He gave them your name in exchange for his girls."

"He had no choice," I said, voice firm. Shrugging off Weaver's grip, I rushed forward and gripped Boris's hands. "I would never have forgiven myself if anything had happened to them. I'm so sorry that your brother was injured for my sake."

"He's okay," he whispered, still looking ashamed. "I should never have told him about you."

"He wasn't injured for your sake," Weaver cut in. "He was hurt because murdering psychopaths want to keep kidnapping girls. And he was forced to put you in danger because of those psychos."

My heart skipped a beat. The fierce way he snapped that statement out melted me on the spot. He was just as protective as the other two and the fact that he had concern written all over his face made me fall just a little in love with him. He was worried for the young women who were being snatched from their lives by these evil men.

"He's right," Boris said. "None of this was your fault. I'm just sorry the Raleka is after you now."

"If you hadn't told your brother about me, the Raleka would have taken his girls without a second thought," I insisted. "No. You did exactly the right thing. And so did he. I'm so sorry to have gotten you involved in all of this, Boris."

"I wanted to help Alyona and Elena. Then, after getting to know you, I wanted to help you as well," he told me with a sad smile.

"You have to disappear." I gripped his shoulders, ready to shake him if need be. "If they can't find me, they're going to come looking for you again."

He nodded, with a heavy sigh. "I know."

"The fact that they left your family alive in the first place is a miracle," Brandon said.

"They already took my daughter years ago. We were never able to find her."

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