They all nodded in understanding before we piled in and made our way to the club.
? ? ?
The moment we stepped inside, the pounding bass vibrated through my ribs. The dance floor was a mass of writhing bodies, the air thick with sweat, perfume, and expensive liquor. But my focus goes to the VIP section when Lily comes through the comm.
The Italian heir sat crammed into a booth, his stiff posture telling me he wasn’t expecting anyone to help him. His captor—a large man—leaned in close, unaware that his hostage would be stolen out from under him.
Maximus and the team all said ‘in’ confirming they all reached their positions. The extraction was a few minutes away.
I moved through the crowd like a shadow, slipping between bodies with ease. My eyes locked on the target. But just as I reached the VIP section, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me backward.
I reacted instantly, driving my elbow back, but my attacker was faster. His grip closed around my wrist, twisting just enough to throw me off balance. Before I could strike again my comm was ripped out of my ear before a low, accented voice ghosted against my ear.
“Easy, sugarplum.”
I froze. The nickname. No one besides my father called me that. The realization hit me hard—this man knew who I was.
I struggled harder, but his grip was like iron. “Let me go,” I hissed.
He chuckled, his breath warm against my skin. “I can’t do that, and I’m sure you know why.”
I caught a glimpse of Maximus through the crowd. The team was moving. The distraction my guys caused for extraction was working well. They had would have no idea I was being taken as they were all focused on the job.
I snarled, twisting in my captor’s grasp, but he maneuvered me through the throng of bodies effortlessly, making it look like nothing more than a drunken couple leaving the dance floor.
My pulse hammered. This wasn’t random, I had no doubt in my mind he was apart of the same group as Barbra.
“This won’t get you anywhere.” I spat, as he dragged me out to the ally.
The Russian smirked. “Oh, sugarplum,” he murmured, voice thick with amusement. “This will get me everywhere.”
Something cold pressed against my neck—a needle.
My vision blurred instantly, lights streaking together. My limbs grew heavy, my movements sluggish.
The last thing I saw was this fucker’s ugly mug as I memorized it for my hit list, he was currently taking the lead.
“Sleep tight, Selene.” He whispered low and viciously.
Chapter 4
Selene
Coming to was like waking up from a nap that left you dehydrated, disoriented, and drenched in sweat. My mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton, my tongue thick and dry, and a dull, pounding ache radiated behind my eyes.
I blinked against the gritty burn in my lids, my vision swimming as I tried to take in my surroundings. The stench hit me first. Mold, piss, and something metallic, like old blood. I gagged, swallowing down the bile clawing up my throat.
The room was filthy. Wallpaper curled and yellowed with age, hanging in strips from the walls. A rusted bedframe stood against one side of the room, holding a lumpy, stained mattress that looked like it had seen its fair share of nightmares. The carpet beneath me was stiff with grime, dark patches spread across it like ghosts of past horrors.
I forced myself to focus. Assess.
Hands bound front, not back. Rookie mistake. That meant they weren’t professionals. Or they were cocky and didn’t believe they let a monster right through the front door. Either way, it was a weakness I would exploit.
I shifted, testing my body. Still fully dressed. My forearm sheaths were still in place—good.
A quick press of my ribs confirmed my personal phone was still tucked into my corset.
Boots? Loose. My small gun and knife—gone. My jacket? Work phone missing.
