Because this was not her fight, and she was better off playing it safe.

But all she could do was stare as he walked closer and closer.

He was exactly as she remembered.

Tall and golden-haired.

Breathtakingly handsome like an angel.

The kind of man that no one would ever suspect of abducting women to sell them off as slaves. The kind of man who would arrange for his friend's murder if that was what it took to save his own neck.

Justina and Sarica turned to look at each other.

But when they looked back at Viktor at the same time—-

It was too late.

He had seen them, too, and the wild look in his eyes was that of a man who believed he had nothing to lose.

GIANCARLO AND HIS MENwere already at the airport when he received an urgent message from his security, telling him that both JustinaandSarica were at the same place he was.

No. God. No.

He ran as fast as he could.

But this, too, was exactly what he feared.

Viktor. Justina. And his Sarica.

They all saw him coming.

And falling.

His injury betraying him at the worst possible moment-—

Because he was no longer the same Giancarlo he once was.

Save her, God.

While one look at Justina showed that her own fears had also gotten the best of her—-

Please.

And this left Viktor and Sarica in a standoff—-

We only have You.

A SENSE OF CALMNESSlike Sarica had never known before settled over her as Viktor lunged toward her with shocking speed.

In the corner of her eye, she saw that Justina had frozen up in terror. The other woman had lost herself in the past, unresolved trauma turning her into a sitting duck.

And finally, she saw him.

Giancarlo.

And in his dark eyes, she saw desperation and defeat.

They both knew he wouldn't make it in time.