Page 24 of Vitaly

8

MILA

“There!” I point to the cabin appearing in the distance, my arm wrapped around my torso.

Alik guns Nikita’s Lincoln, jolting me back into my seat. The closer we get, the more my spine lengthens, adrenaline ripping through me.

But I don’t see the Jeep that was there before.

My eyes scan the yard as I let go of my bruised torso to brace a light touch against the rear window. My lungs shrivel until I can barely breathe.

“This is it?” Nikita asks, turning to peer at me in the back while Alik parks the car.

I nod, unable to speak because I already know what awaits us inside.

Nothing.

He’s gone.

After cocking his gun, Nikita throws open his door and makes his way to the front door of the cabin, following Alik’s lead.

I open the door with trembling fingers and follow after them.

“Ladies first,” Nikita says, taking my arm as I approach and shoving me toward the door.

My palms flatten against it to catch myself. I press my forehead into the wood for a few seconds to stifle the curse itching to leap from my tongue.

Nine years.Nine years, I’ve survived the Petrov family, but one day being back and Vitaly has managed to get me killed.

And Iwillbe killed. I’ve seen Nikita’s temper. I let his mortal enemy get away, and he’ll never forgive me for it. He won’t let it go unpunished.

“Go,” Nikita growls, the gun on my back.

I wonder if he’s hoping Vitaly will shoot me first. He’s obviously trying to use me as bait, or at least as the fall guy.

Lifting my head from the door, I inhale a shaky breath and twist the knob, barely relieved when I find it unlocked.

I step into the bare kitchen that’s just as I left it. The pot of soup is still on the stove. The money he offered me is on the counter. The passport I ripped up lies on the floor where I left it.

No Vitaly.

“Vitaly,” I call out in the ghostly quiet house. The place feels more haunting than when I thought I was a captive. Creepier, somehow.

I look over my shoulder and shake my head at Nikita. He waves me forward, his weapon at the ready.

I continue into the cabin, finding the room he kept me in. The abandoned bowl of borscht is still on the nightstand. Next is a bathroom and one last door. My eyes close as I put my hand on the knob.

“Vitaly?”

No answer. Nikita stands with Alik down the hall, their guns pointed my way. When I peek at them, both look ready for Vitaly to appear, but neither look hopeful.

I never thought it was possible for me to feel this, but… If Vitaly is in that room and kills these two men, I’ll be relieved. I might even let him go.

I slowly open the door.

Blood drains from my face as I scan my eyes over the empty room. My clothes are folded in a pile on the bed along with a note on top.

I go to the closet first and open it up, hoping to find something he left behind, something to indicate he’ll be back.

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