Page 99 of Hero's Heart

But Sloane was growing paler by the second, beginning to hyperventilate, panic blanketing her features. She was about to shut down, like she had the night of the storm in Moldova when they were trying to get away.

That wasn’t good. If there was any hope of her getting away, she had to keep her wits about her.

Those beautiful, terror-filled eyes met his, and he tried to pour every ounce of reassurance he could into his look. She held on to his gaze, and he watched as she slowly forced her fear into submission. She calmed her breathing, refocusing herself and finding her strength. Then she nodded almost imperceptibly, her chin lifting slightly.

She’d done it. She’d clawed her way back.

Damn, he loved this woman. And he was going to tell her that the second this was over. He didn’t even care that they hadn’t been on their first proper date yet.

He just prayed they’d have a chance for that date.

Pain exploded across Callum’s face as Jakob’s fist caught him on the jaw, sending him crashing to his knees. He tasted blood, his ears ringing.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this.” Jakob smirked, flipping the knife over and over in his hand. “You destroyed our business, our livelihood. Do you know how long it will take us to rebuild what we had?”

Callum wanted to give a smartass answer, but that would just make things worse. He needed to figure out a plan. Jakob’s gun was right there in his waistband, but with Callum’s arms restrained behind his back, there was no going for the weapon.

Jakob trailed his knife down Callum’s face. “I had to live in a barn for two weeks because so many police were looking for us.”

The knife continued down, slicing through the fabric of Callum’s shirt and nicking his skin.

“And then poor Nikola didn’t have his regular string of women to slake his lustful desires. It’s been a difficult time, hasn’t it, Nikola?” Jakob asked his brother, without taking his eyes off Callum.

Callum glanced at Nikola, finding the man raking his fingers through Sloane’s hair. He still had the knife to her throat.They couldn’t know about the pregnancy, or they’d be using that to their advantage.

Callum strained against the cuffs, rage coursing through him. At Nikola for being a pervert, at Jakob for the blows, but also at himself. How could he have let this happen? Why had he gotten so complacent—trusting law enforcement across the ocean to handle everything?

Another blow snapped him back to the present. “Stay with me, old man.”

“Not like I can go anywhere.” Words were starting to get mushy as the inside of his cheek swelled.

And even if he could, he wouldn’t be going anywhere anyway. He would never leave Sloane to face this alone.

If he had any doubts about whether he was with her because of the child she carried, they disappeared now. Although he desperately wanted to get both of them out safely, it was she who mattered most to him.

“No, you can’t go anywhere, can you?” Jakob laughed and lashed out again. Blow after blow struck Callum’s face. He could feel blood begin to stream down his cheek, and even on his knees, he was struggling to stay upright.

Struggling to breathe at all.

Jakob stopped and cradled Callum’s face, which was almost worse than the blows. “I should be careful with you. I have to make this last. You just have such a punchable face.”

“Leave him alone!” Sloane shouted.

No. Don’t draw attention to yourself, angel.

But it was too late. “Or what?”

Jakob stood and strolled over to Sloane. He snatched her face from Nikola’s hands. “The most pathetic thing is that you have no idea about the truth of the situation.”

“Can we tell her, Jakob?” Nikola’s eyes lit up with glee, like he was a little kid or something. “Can we tell her the truth?”

What the fuck was Jakob talking about? Callum was definitely missing something. Sloane looked just as perplexed.

“Of course, brother.” Jakob smiled indulgently. “You tell her.”

“We’re not the real bad guys here.” Nikola said it with pride, obviously believing his words.

“Certainly looks like you are from our perspective.” Callum forced the words out, desperate to get both Kozaks’ attention back on him and off Sloane, even if it meant more pain.

---