Page 32 of The Enemy's Defector
In this panic-worthy moment, we weren’t enemies or two members of rival families. We were two survivors, hiding from danger and caught in the midst of more of it.
Like this, there was no difference between us. We were both hunted and wanted.
Like this, there was no gap between us. We were flush together, flat on the floor as we tensed and waited for more shots to be fired.
They were, and Nik turned his head as if he were an animal cocking his ears. Lifting up barely an inch, he stared at me once the report of shots died down. Wordlessly, with nothing more than this intense look, he conveyed that we had to run. We had to flee. And he was cluing in to the route we’d have the most success with.
It pissed me off to admit that he was right.
But this really wasn’t the time to argue or fight or bicker like we always used to.
I nodded, moving slightly so he’d understand that I would follow, that I would go with him.
Like this, we were back on the run. Together.
I doubted this was what he had in mind when he said we’d figure out this situation together. With the safehouse discovered and the enemies right outside these walls, we were forced to react, and we would do so as partners.
He lifted off me, not even wincing at the flexibility and strength he had to use with this movement. Spared to wiggle away from him, I hurried the best I could without making any noise. Down on the dirty carpet, we were out of sight with how high the windows were. But the longer we stayed here in the middle of the room, that was more time that the shooters could creep closer and have a better aim at us.
The moment we were on our feet, crouching down in a duck walk, we hustled toward the back door. He snagged my backpack on the way, but as soon as he reached the back door, he thrust it at me.
I didn’t wait. I pulled it on, wishing it could serve as armor. I stuck close to him, worried I’d be hit as we ran. If my baby could be harmed. If?—
Stop. Focus!
What-ifs and panic wouldn’t help me any now.
Only Nik could.
Pausing for a moment to listen at the door, he got the gun out from the holster at his waist. We’d found the one loaded gun here, likely left behind from whoever had needed to hide here before.
With the firearm in his hand, he crouched at the door then looked back at me once.
He dipped his chin in a slight nod, and I replied in kind.
Then, as I held my breath and worried whether we’d be caught this time, he pushed the door open and we darted out, forced on the run again.
Following him was instinct, but as he rushed outside, I wasn’t confident he would be leading me anywhere safe.
Nowhere seemed safe anymore.
And nothing felt right between us.
14
NIKOLAI
We weren’t surrounded—yet.
This rear exit from the safehouse was our best option to reach the alleyway that offered more shadows and nooks to hide in if these men gave chase. I knew this because it was one of the first things I’d checked out once we got into this place.
Always having an exit plan was a habit.
Studying the best routes of escape was a must.
This way out, I could run with Katerina at my side or just behind me, and I wasn’t giving her any more space than that. The timing of someone finding the safehouse couldn’t have been any shittier. I was ready to talk to her, to really open up and demand that she tell me why she was acting so off. She’d taken it the wrong way, implying I only wanted to boss her around and be in charge.
I was, though. Because I was more equipped and knowledgeable about how to navigate this life on the run. She’d never been in the thick of combat as much as I had been. As a woman, she was sheltered—or dismissed and exempted from the violence that was the norm in my life as a spy.
