Page 104 of Inferno

I don’t like this, not one bit.

“I’m going to end this.”

He nods solemnly.

“Hey, don’t be so glum. I’m coming back.”

I offer him a soft smile.

In these ten years, not only did he save me, he became my family. He took me under his wing. Without him and his training, I’d probably have thrown myself off the roof by now.

A friend that always has my back.

“Isabella will be safe.”

Fuck.

Tears threaten to spill, but I hold them back, just like I always do.

“Thank you, Drago.”

I open the passenger door. The cool morning air rushes in as I slide out, grabbing my heavy rucksack from the seat beside me. The bare essentials to survive.

Slamming the door shut with a loud bang, I gave him one last, curt nod before leaving. My heart pounds a frantic rhythm against my ribs as I approach the armed guards, their weapons gleaming menacingly in the dim light.

I toss my bag onto the damp grass and offer my hands in surrender before them.

The large man at the front, his muscles bulging beneath his shirt, gives a slight nod to his companion. I glance down and notice the black bag in his tattooed hand.

Great.

I close my eyes as he steps forward and secures it over my head, but I can still breathe fine.

He leads me up the steps and sits me on a leather seat.

“The games begin now, Contestant Three. Get some rest. You’ll need it,” a deep voice says through the mask.

A wave of exhaustion washes over me as I drift off, the surrounding noises fading to a dull hum.

These motherfuckers.

Chapter 34

DECLAN

“Mr. Volkov. It’s Declan Quinn. Do you have a minute?”

I tap my lighter on my desk as he grunts over the phone.

“Mikhail. Call me, Mikhail.” His deep Russian accent is enough to elicit fear.

“Mikhail. How are you? I hear there’s quite the mess in Russia.”

He chuckles.

“Cunt deserved it. I’m sure it will resolve itself.”

Hmm.

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