Page 112 of Sinful Scars

I glance back toward the door, trying my best to stay silent as I catch the sound of Igor’s voice.

“Run the plate! This better not be a fucking waste of time, Luka.”

I flinch at his tone. I know all too well what Igor Ivanov is capable of, and if he knew that I was in here as well as Lev, I have no doubt that he would set this place on fire like he did my family’s home.

“Lev,” I whimper.

He squeezes my hand before kicking the rug aside to reveal a hidden trapdoor. The color still hasn’t returned to his face, and I wonder if he’s just as terrified as I am.

Lev pulls me down onto the ground, and I hold my breath as he quietly lifts the door.

His eyes dart to the window and then he nods, silently indicating for me to climb down the stairs.

I don’t have to be told twice.

My legs are shaking so badly that I almost lose my footing and end up in a heap at the bottom of the staircase, but Lev doesn’t let go of my hand for even a second. He keeps hold of it as he climbs down, adjusting the door and rug as he goes.

A heavy bolt slides into a lock, and I wince.

“It’s pretty well sound proofed,” Lev whispers as we climb down the rest of the stairs. “I made this space a few years ago in case something like this happened. No one knows it exists. Not even Pyotr.”

When we reach the bottom, he flicks on a small overhead light which lights up the underground hideout.

It’s almost like a studio apartment, with a double bed, what seems to be a fridge and even stacks of books. Some kind of padding covers the walls which I assume helps to muffle the sound. There’s even another door at the far side of the room.

“There’s a bathroom through there,” Lev whispers when he sees me eyeing the door warily. “There’s enough supplies down here for us to stay here for days if we need to.”

“Do you think we’ll need to?”

“I have no idea.”

“I appreciate the honesty.”

Suddenly, footsteps sound overhead, and I let out a shriek of terror.

“Shh!” Lev hisses, clamping a hand over my mouth and pulling me against him. “I’d rather not test the soundproofing right now.”

“Stay here until Lev and the girl come back,” Igor barks from above. “We’re not leaving without both of them.”

My eyes widen, and Lev tenses behind me.

He knows I’m here.

“It will be okay,” he whispers in my ear as tears start to pour down my cheeks. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

He drops his hands from my mouth and around my waist, and I turn.

“Lev.” I reach for him.

When he looks into my eyes, my terror must be clear because he wraps his strong arms around me and pulls me against his body.

“I’ve got you. He’s not going to hurt you.”

I find myself clinging to him for comfort. I know I shouldn’t, but when there’s nothing but a trapdoor between me and death, my personal morals go out the window.

“His car is here, so they must be nearby,” another man says.

Lev winces as he glances up at the trapdoor. “Fuck, I’m so sorry, Elle. I should have been more careful.”

---