Page 52 of Deadly Vows

I released a breath and opened the door stepping inside.

The house was quiet. The sound of my boots echoed against the hardwood floor. Every sense was heightened, every instinct screaming at me to be ready.

I moved further into the house, my eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. And then I saw him.

Danny stood in the center of the living room, holding Talia in front of him like a human shield. His arm was wrapped tightly around her throat, a gun pressed against her temple. Talia’s face was pale, her eyes wide with fear, but she didn’t make a sound.

“Nice of you to join us,” Danny said with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with twisted amusement.

“I’m here,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Now let her go.”

Danny shook his head, his grip on Talia tightening. “Not so fast. We’ve got a lot to talk about first,” Danny said, his voice oozing with false calm as he pulled his hold on Talia. Her face was drained of color, her lips trembling, but she met my eyes. She was terrified but still alive. Still fighting.

My fists clenched at my sides as I resisted the urge to pull my gun and end him right then and there. But one wrong move, and he could hurt her, or worse. I had to keep my cool. Talia’s life and our child’s life hung in the balance.

“I’m here, Danny,” I said, stepping forward cautiously, my hands raised slightly to show him I wasn’t holding a weapon. “Just you and me. No one else.”

He smirked, clearly enjoying the power he thought he had over the situation. “You think I’m stupid, Aleksandr? I know you’ve got your men out there waiting. Watching.”

I took another step forward, my heart hammering in my chest. “I’m here alone, just like you asked. Let Talia go.”

Danny’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of something dark shining in his green eyes. “You really think I’d let her go? She’smine. You don’t get to take her away from me.”

Talia winced as Danny’s grip tightened, but she stayed silent. Her eyes never left mine, pleading without words for me to remain calm and focused.

“She’s not yours,” I said, my voice hardening. “She never was. You don’t own her, Danny. And you’re not walking out of here with her.”

Danny’s expression twisted into a sneer. “She is mine!” he roared. “The universe owed me for taking away my father. She’s mine, and the baby is mine.”

I took another slow step, inching closer to him. I could see the tension in his body, the way his fingers twitched on the gun. He was dangerous, but he was also desperate. Desperation made people sloppy.

“What do you mean the universe owed you?” I said, keeping my voice low and steady.

“Herfatherdid it,“ he spat. “He killed my father, taking everything away from me.” He backed up a step, pulling Talia with him. “I finally found her. It took years, but I found her, and she loved me. Untilyoucame along.”

Danny pointed the gun at me, his eyes wild. I remembered what Talia said about her father killing the neighbor for having an affair with her mother. It was Danny’s father. And he searched for her for years? He’s deranged. But if I can keep him talking and keep the gun off Talia, I might have a chance to take him down.

“Why punish the girl because of the father’s sins?” I questioned.

“Punishher?“ Danny bellowed. “I found her. I saved her. This is all for her,” he hissed, waving the gun around the room. “I bought this house so we could build a life together as a family.”

“Family?” I sneered. “It’smybaby she carries, not yours.”

Danny’s anger boiled over. He threw Talia onto the floor and pointed the gun at me. My eyes flicked to hers, imploring her to get away from him.

“You’re surrounded. There’s no way out of here for you, and you know it,” I continued. If I could keep his attention on me, then Talia would have a chance of getting into the other room. It was the only way I could save her.

Chapter 29

Aleksandr

Danny’s eyes flitted around the room, his desperation pouring off him. “I could…I could make you take us out of here. Your men won’t shoot if there’s a chance they’ll hurt you or Talia.”

His eyes shimmered with the beginning of a plan. A weak plan, but it was enough. I took another step forward, closing the distance between us.

“And what will you do when you leave? Where will you go?” I asked quietly, my eyes locked on his.

His eyes darted between me and Talia, uncertainty creeping in. But then, just as quickly, the mask slipped backinto place. His finger tightened on the trigger. “Don’t come any closer.”

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