Page 61 of Captive Union
Elena shushes him. “Don’t worry about what my brother wants. My husband is meeting us. We’ll be fine. Ok?”
The guard looks between us before nodding slowly. “Ok.”
“Good. Come on.” Elena links her arm through mine, and off we go. She drives us to the address Alexei gave us. I know my sister can drive, but it’s a strange to see since she usually has others do the work for her. I guess sisterly love beats comfort. It warms my heart how much Elena is going out of her way to help me.
We’re both quiet on the drive over before arriving at an older warehouse in a sketchy part of town.
“Are you one hundred percent sure you want to do this?” Elena asks as we sit in the car, looking up at the crumbling building.
“I am.”
“Good. Then, let’s go.”
We get out and approach the front door. It amuses me to see my sister walking around garbage on the ground in her high heels and short dress. She looks so out of place, and yet she manages to walk with confidence.
I hold my head up higher. I have the right to the same confidence.
Just as Elena reaches to open the door, it opens for her. Her husband, Nik, is on the other side. “Elena? What are you doing here?” His eyes settle on me. “Kira?”
“Let us through, Nik,” Elena commands. “My sister has a right to see the man who tortured her for weeks on end.” I’m glad she’s going along with the plan. I need to get to Erik and convince my brothers I’m serious.
Nik sighs, leaning against the doorframe. “You know Maxim won’t approve.”
“And you think I care about Maxim’s opinion?”
Nik chuckles to himself. “No, you’re right.” He looks at me. “Kira, are you sure you should be here? Wouldn’t you be happier to just stay at home where you’re safe?”
“I appreciate your concern, Nik,” I say, surprising him since I’ve never really spoken to him before. “But I’m going in there, even if you try to stop me. And how would Maxim feel if you accidentally hurt me in the process?”
“What? Are you going to try and run past me?” he asks.
“Yes.” Without hesitation, I run right past him. Nik is so stunned he doesn’t move for a moment.
“Hey, wait!” he calls out as I run into the first room I see—a large open space with no sign of Erik or Maxim.
“Nik,” Elena says. “Just trust me, ok? Let Kira do this.”
Her power over Nik must work because he doesn’t try to stop me as I run around the warehouse. I keep running until I find a stairwell leading down to a lower level. The sounds of grunting and shouts echo up. Erik is down there.
I rush down the stairs only to see a sight that absolutely horrifies me.
Erik is chained up to a wall, and he’s covered in blood. Cuts all along his chest. Bruises covering his entire body. I hardly recognize him. But it’s him.
And he’s still alive.
Both my brothers are there—Alexei with a whip in his hand and Maxim with a pair of pliers. If I don’t stop them now, I might never get Erik back.
So with every piece of strength I possess, I yell as loudly as I can, “Stop!”
All the men look at me. Erik’s eyes widen, his expression soft. Alexei doesn’t look surprised since he knew I was coming.
But it’s Maxim’s face that scares me.
He’s pissed as his eyes register me. “Kira? What the hell are you doing here?”
I step into the room, keeping my eyes locked with Erik’s. Whatever happens in this room, I want him to know I’m here for him. That I tried to fight for our marriage.
“I’m here for him.” I point at Erik. “To save him.”
