Page 68 of The Enforcer's Vow


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Pain shoots through my side, but I don't let go. I slam him against the wall, once, twice, until his grip on the gun loosens. It falls to the floor, and I kick it away.

"You disgusting pig... He'll kill you..." the man gurgles with my hand wrapped around his throat.

I'm about to respond when I hear Zoya scream my name. It's a keening cry of terror that makes my blood run cold. I release the Karpin soldier and spin around. Damir stands in the doorway of the maintenance room, his face twisted with rage. In his hand, he holds a combat knife. He's breathing hard from running, though I thought he already left. It looks like he only went to find his backup, and I can barely make out the outline of Zoya near the wall in the shadows.

"You took everything from me," he snarls.

"You gave it away," I reply, moving to put myself between him and Zoya.

"She's my sister!"

"She was your sister. Until you sold her out."

He lunges at me with the knife, and I barely get my arm up in time to block. The blade skims across my jacket, tearing through the leather. I grab his wrist and we struggle for control of the weapon.

Damir is desperate, which makes him dangerous. He fights with the frenzy of a man who has nothing left to lose. But desperation isn't enough. I've been training for this my entire life.

I twist his wrist until he drops the knife, then drive my knee into his stomach. He doubles over, and I bring my elbow down on the back of his neck. He crashes to the floor, but he's not finished.

Rolling away, he comes up swinging and his fist connects with my jaw, snapping my head back. I taste blood, but I don't go down. I return the favor, my knuckles splitting open against his cheekbone.

"You destroyed her life!" he shouts, throwing another punch.

I duck and drive my fist into his ribs. "You destroyed it first."

We grapple in the narrow corridor, slamming into walls and pipes. He's stronger than he looks, but I'm better trained. I get him in a chokehold, but he bites down on my arm and I release him with a curse.

"Maksim!" Zoya's voice is high with panic.

Damir hears her and lunges toward the doorway. I catch him by the back of his shirt and haul him backward. He spins around and kicks me hard in the chest. I stumble backward, my heel catching on the edge of a step.

The stairwell. I hadn't realized we were so close to it.

I fall backward down the concrete steps, my shoulders and back slamming against the edges. Each impact sends shockwaves of pain through my body. I count seven steps before I hit the bottom, and by then my vision is blurring.

"Zoya!" I hear Damir's voice above me. "Come with me now!"

"No!" Her voice is fierce, defiant. "I'm not leaving him!"

I force myself to my feet, ignoring the fire in my ribs. Damir is at the top of the stairs, reaching for Zoya. She's backing away from him, her hands raised defensively.

"We don't have time for this," he says. "The Karpin men are coming. If they find us here, they'll kill all of us."

"Then run," she tells him. "But I'm staying."

"I won't let you?—"

"You don't get to decide anymore." Her voice is steady now, final. "I made my choice."

Damir's face crumples, but there's no time for family drama. I can hear footsteps echoing from deeper in the tunnels. More Karpin soldiers, moving fast.

"Zoya," I call. "We need to go. Now."

She doesn't hesitate. She turns away from her brother and runs down the stairs to me. I catch her hand as she reaches the bottom, and together we head for the exit.

"Zoya, please!" Damir's voice follows us, but he doesn't give chase. He knows it's over.

We burst through the emergency exit into the Moscow night. The cold air hits my face, and I can smell exhaust and cigarette smoke. We're in an alley behind a row of shops, and I can see the main street ahead.