Page 76 of Macon

Hearing Izzy take charge has all of us backing down.

No one says a word.

Viktoriya raises her hand, motioning for Leo to let go of Raydene, and he takes his original spot next to the door.

She pushes Raydene inside, still holding her by a handful of hair. Again. She fumbles with something near her ear and whispers before releasing her to Blink, who’s standing close by, waiting.

Once Blink has Raydene, Viktoriya crosses to the bar to meet Izzy.

I step toward Raydene, wanting to touch her to make sure she’s okay, but I also want to keep my eyes on Izzy.

Blink moves Raydene toward me, and I lift her blindfold off so she can see. That’s when I see she’s got earplugs in. When her eyes adjust, she cries out. I pick her up and rush her to the room where Doc is waiting with the girls.

The door opens, and Sin’s hands are over her mouth, crying. My heart constricts, and I want to go to her and hold her, but I’m needed back out there.

The girls are safe.

I announce to the room, “We need to make sure Izzy is okay.” I lay Raydene down. “I’ll be back.”

Blink and I move out to where everyone is lingering. Izzy and Viktoriya sit face to face with a few stools between them. Izzy is doing most of the talking, but Viktoriya’s body becomes more and more tense as she talks. Maze slides two drinks in front of them, but neither takes it.

We all sit and watch. Our eyes bounce between the girls sitting at the bar and the security screen. Leo is inside by the door, while the other guy is outside, surveying the area. Neither of them looks anxious or like they want to start something. Both are relaxed and calm.

Viktoriya’s hands move when she speaks. Izzy kept going, and from the look of their body language, it was like they’d been friends for years.

Snow is behind the bar and moves down to stand beside Maze, who’s off to the side. I know both of them are locked and loaded.

Redman keeps shuffling from foot to foot, ready to pounce. I know this is hard for him because he wants to protect his girl, but I think this is best for her. Izzy is facing her biggest fear. Viktoriya might not have taken her, but her family was the reason. So sitting and talking to her without breaking down into a full-blown panic attack is enormous for her.

Watching Redman fidget makes me want to return to the room and check on my girls.

Raydene is back.

Will she approve of me and Sin? I shake my head. What the fuck?

I need to stay focused.

Viktoriya moves to stand up, and Izzy follows. They stand facing each other, and when Viktoriya goes to shake her hand, Izzy smiles and steps back, not wanting to touch or be any closer to her.

Viktoriya smiles and turns toward the door.

When she sees all of us, she stops right before exiting. “I’ll be returning to Russia. My business here is done. I have found out what I need. Thank you.”

Wolfe steps forward and says, “Will the Russians be a problem for us in the future?”

Viktoriya turns to face Wolfe. “I cannot say for the future. I’ll be in touch once I confirm all of this information. For now, you are good.”

With that, she walks out the door, Leo following her. We watch as the three of them get back into the car and leave.

I rush back to the room, and when I open the door, I’m not prepared for what I see.

Raydene is vomiting, and all the girls are yelling at each other. Doc’s on the phone, and once she sees me, she yells, “Is it all clear?” I nod, and she says into the phone, “Now. Pull in now.”

Dropping her phone, she says, “Let the paramedics in now. She needs to go to the hospital!”

Fuck waiting.

I rush into the room, pick up Raydene, and her body goes limp in my arms.

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