Page 88 of Pageant

I smile at the one who told me I was a dead woman. “Don’t worry about me, boys. Worry about your own skins when yourPakhanfinds out you’ve been disarmed and locked up by a group of runway models.”

That’s three guards taken care of, but there are definitely more lurking around. Should we try to run now, or should we wait a few minutes to make sure no one else is coming? If Konstantin, Elyah, or Kirill show up, they’re not going to quietly step into a cell just because we’re holding a few guns.

“Marija?” I call, and I motion her to follow me up the stairs. We crouch together by the door to the garden. It’s dark outside now and the warm evening air washes over us.

“I think the coast is clear, but you’ll have to be quick.” I point across the shadowy garden. “Head that way down to the water. Everyone is going to follow you. There are cliffs to the left, so head to the right. Wade around the edge of the lake until you reach another house. Ask the residents for help or break in and call the police. Do you think you can do it?”

Marija stares into the darkness for a few seconds, and then she nods. “Yes. We’ll do it. But what about you?”

“I’m staying for a little longer. It’s not enough that I escape,” I reply, and I hear the venom in my voice. Every electric shock they gave us. Every beating. Poor dead Valentina, the first Number Eleven. The terror. The cold. The cages. Their hands on me. Their mouths on me. Their lust. Their cruelty. These men are going to pay.

“I’m getting revenge for all of us.”

Marija’s expression hardens. “Then I’m coming with you.”

I clutch her arm. “These women are scared and I’m sure some of them can’t swim. They need you. Link arms in the water and lead them through the shallows. You’ll do whatever it takes to save them, I know you will.”

“But why do you believe that when I was going to sell you all out?” she blurts.

That’s why she needs to be the one to do this. Marija is going to look back on this week and feel so many things, and she needs to remember herself as a hero, not a traitor. Besides, she’ll be ruthless in the face of any obstacles and that’s what these women need right now. “I know you’re a better person than the one thing you said in a moment of terror.”

She blinks rapidly like she’s trying not to cry. “All right. But you—”

Konstantin could realize at any moment that there are guards missing. “There’s no time. Get all the women up here and just go.”

Marija’s jaw works like she wants to argue with me, and then she shakes her head slowly. Not in defiance, but regret. “Why do I have the horrible feeling you’re about to sacrifice yourself for our sakes? After all this, don’t you dare die.”

I check the safety is off the machine gun I’m holding. “I have no intention of dying. Don’t think about me a moment longer and go get those women.”

But she still hesitates. “Lilia, the other night, Kirill came down to the cells and—”

“I said go!” Cold sweat has broken out all over me. I don’t give a damn what that psycho did this week. Whatever it was, I’m paying him back for it now by destroying hisPakhan’sprecious pageant.

Marija nods and dashes back down the stairs.

I stay crouched by the door with the gun in my hands as fifteen women crouch-walk up and file silently past me and into the darkness. I whisper encouraging words to each one as they go. “That’s right, keep your head down. Everything’s going to be okay. You’ll be back with your families soon. Follow Marija and do whatever she says. She’s going to get you out of here.”

As Olivia reaches me, the coppery-eyed young woman looks stricken. “You’re coming with us, aren’t you?”

“I’ll be right behind you, but don’t wait for me,” I say, telling a little white lie. I don’t know where I’m going or what will happen next, but I’ll probably never see her again.

As if she knows that, too, Olivia gives me a swift hug, tears in her eyes as she whispers. “You did it, Number Eleven. I knew you would.”

I hug Olivia back. Behind her, Celeste is shivering and crying and barely seems to know which way is up, let alone who she’s following.

“You guys at the back, Marija will need you to make sure Hedda is able to keep up. Can you do that, Celeste?”

I know she’s scared, but she needs to keep it together for just a little longer. Giving her something to do might help her focus.

Deja nods and takes Celeste’s and Hedda’s hands. “Come on, guys, we can do it.”

With my heart beating in my throat, I watch the final three women cross the threshold and follow the others into the darkened garden. Hope is a fierce dagger in my heart, and I send up a wish to the stars.Please, all of you get to safety and live long and happy lives.I watch as Deja, Celeste, and Hedda disappear among the bushes. Silence falls.

And then there was one.

I turn and stare down the corridor toward the villa. Konstantin, Elyah, and Kirill are somewhere in there, and so is the prize that I plan on snatching from under their noses. I’m taking all of Konstantin’s jewels from him. Every last one of them.

With the machine gun strap heavy on my shoulder and the grip sweaty in my hands, I edge my way down the corridor and into the villa. There are voices coming from one direction that I suspect might be the kitchen. The voices sound like our captors having a heated discussion.

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