Page 148 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“Where to, ma’am?”

His voice is deep and surprisingly melodic. It’s weird, the little observations I’m making now. Like I’ve slipped out of my body and I’m watching all this unfold before me as if on a movie theater screen.

“Olivia.”

Yulia’s hand comes down across mine. Only then do I realize that I’m shaking. I try to take another deep breath, but this time, it doesn’t help. The shaking continues.

“Wait a moment, Moritz,” she tells him before turning back to me.

“We don’t have time to wait,” I protest feebly.

She raises her eyebrows. “Olivia, look at me.”

I do. She gives me a nod and smiles sadly. “You’re having a panic attack. If we try and do this in your current state, we’ll be found out for sure. If we’re going to get the girl out of here safely, you need to get a hold of yourself.”

She’s still clutching me. The weight of her touch is comforting, grounding.

“I know this is new to you,” she continues. “You’re not used to this kind of thing.”

“It’s not that.”

“You’re worried Aleks will come back early?”

I shake my head. “I guess I still… I still can’t believe it’s… true.”

The last word comes out in a sob. Yulia looks at me sympathetically. Now, she’s so calm that I can’t believe I was the one calming her down only a few moments ago.

She looks so steady. So in control. Can a person really veer between those two extremes so fast? Or is she just relying on survival instinct, a fight-or-flight response that hasn’t triggered inside me yet?

“I know, darling. Neither can I.”

I feel moisture on my cheeks and realize that I’m crying. “You must think I’m an idiot,” I mumble, self-consciously batting the tears away.

“No, not at all. I just think you’re in love with a man you know you can’t be with anymore.”

Another sob escapes me.

“Lyubimaya,” she croons, “it’s okay. I am with you.”

“My baby…”

“One thing at a time, honey,” she says. “If we leave here, we need somewhere to go. Is there anyone you trust?”

“My brother and sister,” I tell her.

She nods. “I suppose that will have to work. They’re staying at The Imperial, aren’t they?”

“Mia is. I don’t know about Rob.”

“Let’s take her there then. There will be security and Hargrove has the means to protect you all.” She grips me tightly, her eyes boring into mine. “Olivia, are you ready for this? We don’t have much time.”

“I know. I just…”

“You want to save this girl. You convinced me to save her. Now that we’re taking the risk, we have to do our damndest to make sure we get it right.”

“I know,” I say, swallowing my sadness. “Let’s go.”

She gives me a nod and turns to her man. “Follow me and listen to my instructions exactly.”

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