Page 114 of Stolen Empire
Rolan nods with understanding.
He grips my shoulder and squeezes it.
"Then we make sure you don’t lose her."
My phone rings.
It’s Gavriil’s man.
"Report," I answer.
"There’s still no movement outside, but we heard something a few minutes ago. Voices shouted inside, then it went quiet."
My blood runs cold.
"How long ago?"
"Five minutes. There’s been nothing since then."
"Stay in position. Keep me updated on anything you hear or see."
I hang up and look at Gavriil.
"They’re still inside. Something happened."
"Should we move in?" he asks.
"Not yet."
I force myself to stay calm.
"If she’s working a play, I don’t want to ruin it by going in too soon. But if they’ve hurt her—" I stop. My jaw clenches. "We wait, watch, and gather information."
Fifty-four minutes have passed and the dot is still stationary.
I pace the room while Rolan watches me with understanding.
He doesn’t tell me to sit or calm down. He just lets me move.
"What will you do when this is over?" he asks.
"I don’t know."
I stop pacing and meet his gaze.
"I promised her freedom when the job was done, but I don’t know if I can keep that promise anymore."
"Then be honest with her," Rolan says.
"Don’t trap her or manipulate her. If you love her, tell her. Give her the choice."
"And if she chooses to leave?"
"Then you let her go."
His voice is gentle.
"But something tells me she won’t."
