Page 65 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

“We’re almost there,” Nadya says, a tremor in her voice betraying the fear she must be fighting to suppress.

I clutch Rose tighter, the thud of her heartbeat matching my own as we step forward.The metallic sheen of a thick, reinforced door stops me.Nadya punches in a code with shaking fingers.The keypad blinks green, and the door cracks open with a hiss, revealing a dark stone staircase that descends into shadows.Pete darts inside, his small feet pattering down the steps.

As I move to follow, an iron grip clamps around my arm, yanking me back.The jolt is so sudden that I stumble, twisting to face my assailant.

“Jonathan, thank God it’s you.”I exhale, addressing one of Dave’s most trusted guards.“You have another escape route?”

“I’m sorry, Mrs.Lenko,” he mutters, his voice raw.

My blood curdles when I try to move and his hands keep me planted to the spot.“Jonathan?”The word barely scrapes past my lips, disbelief mingling with dread as I stare at him.“What are you doing?”

He looks haunted, eyes shadowed and desperate.“Igor has my son.He’ll kill him if I don’t cooperate.”

Nadya’s scream pierces my ears, sharp and jagged.My heart lurches as I turn, dread pooling in my stomach.Igor stands behind her, eyes dark and sharp like polished onyx, the thin scar slashing across his face from brow to cheek is the eternal reminder of the violence woven into his life.His arm coils around the nanny’s neck, fingers pressing deep into her pale skin.She gasps, eyes wide with terror, her breaths ragged.

“Long time no see, dear wife,” Igor drawls, his voice smooth and venomous.He flexes his arm, and Nadya’s face turns a ghastly shade, her eyes rolling back as she claws at his forearm.

“Daddy!Don’t hurt her.I promise I’ll be a good girl,” Rose begs, clutching Doggy.

“You’re the sweetest girl,” I whisper, kissing her temple.“Hug Mama tight, my love.”She snuggles her face against my neck and I focus on Igor, pleading, “Let Nadya go!You have me.And Rose.You don’t need her!”

Igor’s eyes narrow, lips curling into a sneer.“Don’t tell me what to do!”A blade flashes when he twists his wrist.Before I can scream, he drags it across Nadya’s throat.

Time slows to a crawl, every detail etching into my mind with vicious clarity.Her widening eyes, their light fading fast, the dark crimson soaking the collar of her blouse.When her body crumples, lifeless, to the floor, it jolts me back into action.I shield Rose’s face with trembling hands, her sobs tearing through my heart.

“No!”The word rips from me, hoarse and strangled.

Igor steps forward, his boots splashing in the growing pool of blood.His tailored suit, pristine even in the chaos, speaks to the chilling control he wields.He leans closer, the sickly scent of expensive cologne and cruelty filling my nostrils.“This is on you, Alexia,” he says, the coldness in his voice biting deeper than any knife.The lines carved deep into his face deepen as he sneers.“She didn’t have to die.You killed her when you defied me.”

His hand lashes out, striking my cheek.Pain explodes in my vision, and he strikes the other side of my face.

I stagger, clutching Rose tighter as she wails, the sound piercing and raw.

“Make the little imp shut the fuck up,” Igor barks, his gaze flicking to Jonathan.

I barely have time to react before Jonathan lunges, his eyes dark with regret.I twist and thrash, covering Rose with my body to block his advances.I manage to land a punch to his jaw that snaps his head back.But he’s stronger.A needle scrapes my arm when Jonathan yanks Rose away from my grasp.

He pricks her neck with it.I scream.“Rose!No!”

The tranquilizer takes effect fast and her little body goes limp in his arms.

A movement near the entrance to the bunker catches my eye.Igor is kneeling there, a twisted smile on his lips.

“Come on, little man.Don’t be shy.”His sugary tone sickens me.

As Pete steps out, his gaze lands on his mother’s body.Shrieking, he tries to go to her.Igor intercepts him, pressing Pete against himself, running his large hands along the boy’s small back.“Shush, now.You’re such a gorgeous boy.”

Pete’s anguished cries cut me.The sight of Igor stroking Pete makes bile rise in my throat.

“Leave him alone, you pervert!”I lunge.

Igor punches the top of my head, darkening my vision.I shake my head and go at him again.

Igor kicks me between my legs.I fall to my knees.

He kicks my kidney.I can’t breathe.I wheeze as I crumble to the floor.He kicks me in the face.

“Grab the slut.Let’s get out of here.”

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