Page 110 of Savage Reign

“Emil?” My voice is hoarse, my throat raw. “What are you doing? Where am I?”

“Shut up and don’t move, or I’ll cut into your skin,” he threatens, not even looking up. Fear surges through me like a shot of adrenaline.

He’s fiddling with the ankle monitor. Trying to cut it off, by the looks of it.

“Please, don’t,” I beg, tears stinging my eyes. “You don’t have to do this.”

He doesn’t respond. He keeps his head down, carefully working on cutting through the cuff. My ankle monitor is the only chance Niko has of finding me.

“You’re working with Igor, aren’t you?” The answer is obvious, but I need him to admit it. I need to hear him say it.

Still nothing. My panic morphs into fury, and I rock back and forth in the chair, trying to knock him off balance. Emil plants a heavy hand on my knee, forcing me to stop.

“Sofiya.” His voice is an irritated growl. “Do you want me to cut your fucking leg?”

“Answer me!” I shout, my voice cracking. “You’re helping Igor betray Nikolai. Why?”

Emil finally meets my eyes, his expression dark. “Igor isn’t a traitor. Nikolai’s the one who let this happen. He’s the one who needs a lesson in loyalty.”

“What did he promise you? Money? Power? Do you honestly think anything in this world will protect you from Nikolai when he discovers what you’ve done?”

Emil snorts, his lips curling into a sneer. “You have no idea. This is bigger than money. You’ll see soon enough.”

He doesn’t say anything more, just goes back to work. There’s an unmistakable crunch as the gold splinters and the anklet comes free. A sick weight settles in my gut as he picks it up, turning it over in his hands before setting it on the ground.

“Don’t!” I cry, but it’s too late. The hammer comes down hard, shattering the tracking device—and with it, my only hope of being rescued.

“What do you want with me?” I whisper. “Are you going to hurt me? Kill me?”

The door creaks open, and my stomach turns to lead. Igor steps inside, his eyes gleaming as he takes in the scene.

He crouches to my level. With chilling gentleness, he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My whole body recoils at his touch, my wrists straining against the ropes .

“Kill you?” he says, smiling coldly. “Oh no, my little dancer. You have no idea of your value. The most powerful men in the country would move heaven and earth for you. I’m going to use you. But first, we’re going to have some fun.”

The word fun sends ice dripping down my spine.

Desperation tightens every muscle in my body. “Emil, don’t let him do this. Please. You don’t want to hurt me. You can stop this—you can still make it right.”

There’s a flicker of something in his eyes, but it vanishes as quickly as it appeared.

Igor grips my chin roughly, jerking my face toward him. “Don’t waste your breath on him,” he sneers. “Look at me. I am the only one who matters. I determine your fate.” My body trembles as his grip tightens. “Before we get to the fun, we must record a message for your husband and brother-in-law. That is, if they haven’t killed each other yet.” His smile widens. “I made sure Nikolai would believe the Syndicate was behind the attack. I can’t wait to see how he retaliates.”

“You orchestrated everything tonight?”

“It was the perfect time to take you while everyone was distracted.”

Igor releases my chin, but the relief is short-lived. He steps behind me and yanks my hair, forcing my head back until I’m staring up at the cracked ceiling.

The lights snap on, bright and blinding, making me flinch. Emil steps forward, his phone raised, the lens pointed my way.

Terror claws at me as a knife presses against my neck. Igor leans in close, his breath vile as his lips brush against my ear. “Smile for the camera, little dancer. This is going to be fun.”

CHAPTER

FORTY-FOUR

NIKOLAI

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