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“Power,” he replies, straightening up and crossing his arms over his chest. “A chance to control my own fate instead of groveling at the feet of those brothers.”
“Power over what?” I demand, anger and desperation bubbling within me. “Over innocent people like me and my daughters?”
“Collateral damage,” he says dismissively. “Everyone is expendable in this game, Annalise. Even you.”
“Even their trust?” I press on, unwilling to surrender to his twisted logic. “Did their faith in you mean nothing?”
“Trust is a currency easily spent.” Arlo smirks, unfazed by my words. “I invested mine wisely.”
“Is it wise to cross the Volkovs?” I ask, leaning forward as far as my restraints allow. “You’ve seen what they’re capable of. Do you really think they’ll let this go?”
“Let me worry about that,” he replies coolly, stepping away from me. “Your concern should be the choices you make while you’re still breathing.”
“Choices?” My voice cracks, but I refuse to let the threat deter me. “I won’t betray them, Arlo. Not even to save myself.”
“Then you’re a fool,” he says flatly, his expression hardening. “But you’ll have plenty of time to reconsider your decision.”
With that, he turns on his heel and leaves me alone in the cold, dim room. As the door slams shut behind him, I find comfort in the unwavering resolve that fills my chest. I may be battered and bruised, but I have one thing that Arlo will never possess—loyalty born from love.
And that is something I will cling to, no matter the cost.
The sound of the door creaking open pierces the silence, and I brace myself for what’s to come. Arlo enters the room once more, his expression unreadable as he stalks toward me. I hold my head high, determined to show him that I’m not broken.
“Still clinging to your loyalty?” he sneers, circling me like a predator sizing up its prey. “You’re wasting your time, Annalise.”
“Maybe,” I reply, swallowing the fear that threatens to choke me. “But at least I have something worth fighting for.”
“Pathetic,” he scoffs, stopping in front of me. His eyes bore into mine, cold and calculating, before his hand shoots out with brutal force. The backhand catches me off guard, sending me flying across the room. I hit the wall with a sickening thud, pain exploding through my body.
“Tell me everything you know about the Volkovs’ plans!” he demands, advancing on me, his voice full of malice.
“Never,” I gasp, struggling to catch my breath from the impact. My vision blurs, but I refuse to let him see how much he’s hurting me.
“You’re making this harder than it has to be,” Arlo growls, kicking me in the ribs with enough force to send me curling into a protective position. My hand instinctively moves to shield my unborn child, desperation coursing through me.
“Stop,” I beg through gritted teeth, tears streaming down my face. “Please, don’t hurt my baby.”
“Then start talking,” he snarls, landing another vicious kick to my side. My mind races, trying to find a way out of this nightmare, but there seems to be no escape.
As the pain intensifies, I cling to the love I have for my daughters, for the life growing inside me, and for the Volkov brothers who have shown me kindness. It’s that love that keeps me defiant in the face of Arlo’s relentless assault.
“You’ll never break me,” I whisper, my voice hoarse from the abuse. “I’ll die before I betray them.”
“Very well,” Arlo says coldly, his eyes void of any humanity. “We’ll see just how far your loyalty can take you.”
The cold metal floor beneath me seems to vibrate with each violent kick, echoing the agony surging through my battered body. Arlo’s eyes are cold and merciless as he continues his ruthless assault.
“Stop!” I choke out between coughs, desperate for air. My thoughts race in a chaotic whirlwind of fear, anger, and disbelief, but still, I cling to the one thing that fuels every last ounce of my strength—protecting my unborn child.
“Your loyalty is misplaced,” Arlo sneers, delivering another swift blow to my ribs.
“Arlo!” a guard’s voice booms from behind him, halting his attack abruptly.
“What?” he growls, annoyance flashing across his face.
“The Volkovs have launched an all-out war,” the guard warns, urgency in his tone. “You need to take cover.”
“Finally, some action,” Arlo mutters under his breath, stepping back from me. His eyes meet mine for a split second, devoid of any remorse or compassion.
