Aleksander is already on his phone, typing, the kitchen erupting into silent chaos around me.
“Tick tock, Doctor,” Pablo says, his voice dropping to something colder. “Ninety minutes. Make sure Yakov understands what happens if he’s late.”
The line goes dead.
Aleksander’s hand is on my arm before I can even process what just happened. “We’re moving you. Now.”
“But Yakov?—”
“Will be contacted the moment you’re secure.” His jaw is tight with barely controlled anger as men appear from hidden positions throughout the house. “Pablo orchestrated this separation. Drew him away so he could get to you. We’re not giving him that chance.”
Within minutes, I’m being hustled toward a waiting SUV, the mansion transforming around me into a military evacuation. As our convoy races toward an unknown destination, one thought echoes in my mind.
By the time Yakov gets Pablo’s call, everything will have changed.
38
COUNTDOWN
YAKOV
“Where is she?”
Silence meets my question. I stand before them, tension radiating from every muscle despite my controlled expression.
Volkov Enterprises surrounds us—chrome, glass, power. Clean facade hiding blood and bodies.
“She’s been moved,” Igor says curtly. “For her own protection.”
My jaw tightens. “Without consulting me.”
“You’re not her keeper, Gagarin,” Igor snaps, though his usual sneering confidence wavers. His brother is there too.
I take a controlled breath, fighting the urge to reach across the space between us and slam his head into the polished mahogany.
“Tell me where she is. Now.”
Nikolai raises his hand, silencing whatever retort Igor has on his lips. Always the diplomat, always the peacemaker when it suits his purposes.
“Aleksander took her to a secure location after you left this morning,” Nikolai explains, his tone reasonable. Too reasonable. “Pablo knew exactly where she was. We can’t take the risk.”
“What location?” I ask through gritted teeth.
Nikolai shakes his head. “Need-to-know basis, Yakov. And right now, you don’t need to know.”
White-hot rage flashes through me, but I force it down. Losing control now won’t get me to Mila. Nothing matters but reaching her, making sure Pablo hasn’t already?—
I cut that thought off before it fully forms. I won’t allow my mind to go to dark places.
“I need to speak with her,” I say, fighting to stay calm. “To confirm she’s safe.”
Igor laughs, the sound grating against my nerves. “What you need is to remember your place. You’re on probation, Gagarin. A trained attack dog we’ve decided might be useful against the Colombians. Nothing more.”
I let his words wash over me without reaction. His opinion means nothing. Only Mila matters now.
“Call her,” I demand, directing the words to Nikolai. “Let me speak to her.”
“Fine,” he concedes, picking up his phone. “I’ll contact Aleksander and have him put her on.”
