Page 189 of Nemesync
I really don’t like this. Having her enter first can be so dangerous; I don’t even know if we can trust this Brian. “Are you sure about this,Milaya? It’s too risky.”
She smiles at me and takes my hand in hers. “I’ve done riskier things, Elijah. Trust me.”
I have to trust her; I know she’s talented enough for this. She wants to participate and be treated like one of our soldiers, not like the woman I want to protect all my life.
My woman.
Brian points at the blueprints on the screen, “Zee, you’ll have to follow the shaft until you reach the main hallway here. From there, you’ll have a clear view of the guards in the north wing, and you’ll have access to the alarm system to shut it down manually.”
“Got it. Once I shut down the security system, I’ll open the door for the guys.”
I look at the map; it’s risky. But she’ll be at the other side from the door and if something happens, I’m just going to enter and kill everybody.
My eyes find hers, urging her to be safe. “Just be careful, Zanae. If anything goes wrong, abort the mission and get back outside immediately.”
“I promise.”
Niko gets up and leans against the wall. “Alright, don’t forget the big day is next week. We’ve got seven days to make sure everything is perfect.”
Zanae gives an enthusiastic nod while grabbing my arm. “7 days then.”
I let my hand rest on hers and add, “Can’t stress enough how crucial your training is,Milaya. You’ve made a lot of progress, but we need to polish your skills. I don’t want you to go there without being completely ready.”
Determination lights up her pretty eyes.
“I’m okay with that; I trust you.”
Nikolai smirks. “Great, then I’ll organize some hardcore training sessions for us.”
“Hardcore training? Good luck Zee,” Ben says before disappearing from the screen.
Brian laughs and whispers a small, “Bye,” before disappearing from the screen too.
“Oh, and Elijah, we’re squeezing in some time for that tattoo of ours.”
I shoot Niko a threatening gaze while Zanae chuckles against me and closes the laptop. “I swear Niko, say something again about this and I’m punching you.
36
ZANAE
We’re back in the training room, Niko is in the ring with me, and I’m exhausted. For the past two hours, they haven’t let me take a break. I don’t even understand how they still have energy. I wasn’t in the Russian special forces like them. They train me as if I was in the military, and it’s tiring. But I try, I try until my body can’t fight anymore.
“Come on, little Z, you can do better than that.”
Breathing heavily, I respond in frustration, “I’m doing my best, Niko, really.”
Elijah watches closely; he’s been firm and cold since the beginning of today’s training. He’s just in that protective coach mode again. “You’re not pushing hard enough, Zanae. We need you to be faster, not tired.”
I forgot that part of him, the tough coach, but I know it’s just because he’s stressed for that mission.
I look at him annoyed. “I can do it. Just give me a moment, Volkov.”
“She’s pushing herself too hard, Elijah. Maybe we should ease up a bit.”
Elijah remains serious and doesn’t even listen to Niko. His gaze on me as he answers, even if I feel like it’s more for me than Niko, “She can handle it. She’s stronger than she thinks.”
Finally succeeding and putting Niko’s ass on the ground, I scream, “Got it! I did it!”
