Page 49 of Viktor

Getting up, he shifted Delia so her head rested on his shoulder and walked to the doorway. He saw no sign of Sara. His gut twisted. She promised not to leave the floor. Viktor tried not to panic. She could be in the bathroom. He strode down the hallway to the public restroom on the floor and opened the door.

Empty.

He worked hard to keep his cool while he checked with the nurses’ station. Yes, she’d gotten a cup of coffee from them. The last anyone saw of her was over by the stairwell.

He couldn’t run. Delia was asleep on his shoulder. He gently woke her up. She blinked, her eyes sleepy.

“Is Mason awake?”

“No,malyshka. I need you to stay with the nurse for a few minutes, okay?”

“Where’s Mommy?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out, baby girl.” He turned to the nurse. “Can she stay here?”

“Of course.” The nurse frowned but came and collected her. “You can sit over here by me.”

Viktor thanked her and rushed toward the stairwell.

***

Sara tried to scream, but the hand clamped over her mouth prevented it. An arm around her middle held her hostage as he dragged her toward the stairs.

Hell to the no.

She was not going to be dragged down a flight of stairs and then to who knew where. She fought. Her head slammed into her captor’s, and she heard the crunching sound of bone breaking when her head exploded in pain. So worth the pain, since his grip eased up, and she was able to twist out of his grasp and run for the door.

He caught her by the hair and yanked her backward. “You fucking bitch!” he hissed right before his fist slammed into her face.

This was something she was used to, so the pain didn’t stop her like it would have anyone else. Roger hit her regularly. Maybe it even prepared her to fight once she decided to stop taking the abuse. He’d pulled her close, and she used that to her advantage. Her knee came up and nailed him in the balls. He let out a screech and clutched his precious jewels. Taking the opportunity, she pushed him with all her might, and he started to fall backward down the stairs.

Only he caught her arm as he fell, and she went hurtling down the cold concrete steps with him. Her back hit each step, and she couldn’t stop the cry that burst from her. When they came to a stop on the landing between the third and fourth floors, they both stayed still for a moment, the shock of the fall knocking the air right out of their lungs.

He recovered first and sat up. She noticed then he had on a black ski mask that completely covered his face, all except for his eyes. They were a clear green and looked ready to murder her. She tried to draw air into her lungs, but they didn’t want to work just yet.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he promised and stood. He reached down and grabbed her ankles and started to tow her down the stairs, making sure her back came into contact with each step.

Sara kicked, fighting to breathe and trying to get loose all at the same time. She barely registered the bellow, but her would-be kidnapper did. He snarled but let go. “Next time.”

Then he ran down the stairs, leaving her lying there feeling half dead. She felt the vibrations on the stairs as feet pounded down, and then Viktor was there, his face a mottled mix of rage and concern.

She raised her hand and pointed down the stairs, wanting him to go after the man, but he didn’t so much as look that way. His entire focus was on her.

She wheezed and tried to sit up, but he pushed her back down. “Don’t move.” His hands ran over her body, checking for injuries. When his fingers met her wrist, she hissed. He made a noise she couldn’t quite put a name to.

“Viktor,” she managed to say as the air started to return to her oxygen-starved lungs. “He’s getting away.”

“I’ll deal with him later,moye sokrovishche. Right now, I need to make sure you’re okay.”

His hands were gentle as they checked her, and she felt the first prick of tears. No one had ever been this gentle with her, and it made her feel vulnerable.

“Did I hurt you?” He stilled, his face alarmed.

She shook her head and tried to stop the tears, but the damn things welled up, and she started crying in earnest.

“Moye sokrovishche?”When she didn’t answer him, he picked her up, cradled her to his chest, and ran. His back hit the door, and then the bright lights of Mason’s hospital floor met her. The headache that had been threatening rolled forward with a vengeance, and she winced.

“Mommy!”

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