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“Get everyone ready,” I order, my voice laced with determination. “We’re moving out.”
“Roger that,” Cassius says, already barking orders into his radio.
As we rush out of the surveillance room, my chest tightens with the pressure of responsibility. I know that every second counts, and the thought of failing Annalise fills me with dread.
“Damian,” Cassius calls, his voice barely audible over the sound of our boots pounding on the concrete. “What if we’re too late?”
“Shut up!” I snarl, my heart aching with the mere suggestion. “We won’t be.”
“Right,” he agrees, nodding solemnly as we pile into the waiting SUVs.
The tension in the air is palpable as we speed through the darkened streets, each of us lost in our thoughts and fears. But there’s one thing that I’m certain of—I won’t lose Annalise. And whatever it takes, whatever the cost, I’ll make damn sure that I never feel this helpless again.
40
ANNALISE
The cold metal of the chair presses against my back, sending shivers down my spine. I blink away the haze that clouds my vision, trying to focus on the man standing in front of me. Timothy’s cruel sneer is etched into his face as his fingers curl into a fist.
“Tell me everything you know about the Volkov brothers,” he snarls, his voice dripping with malice.
I stare at him defiantly, refusing to let him see my fear. “I have nothing to say to you.”
He doesn’t waste any time, striking me hard across the face. Pain explodes in my cheek, and my head whips to the side. I wheeze, struggling to catch my breath as tears prick at the corners of my eyes. But I refuse to give Timothy the satisfaction of breaking me.
“Stubborn bitch,” he spits, but there’s a hint of admiration in his tone. “You’ll talk eventually. Everyone does.”
“Go to hell,” I retort, gritting my teeth against the pain.
“Wrong answer.” His hand connects with my face again, but this time, I manage to suppress my gasp.
“Where are they?” He glares at me intently, searching for any signs of weakness.
“You think you can break me?” My emerald eyes blaze with determination, even through my blurred vision. “I won’t betray them.”
Timothy’s face twists with rage as he steps closer, looming over me. “We’ll see about that.”
My heart hammers in my chest, but my thoughts remain clear. I cannot—will not—give up the Volkov brothers. The lives of my daughters and our unborn child depend on it. No matter how much pain Timothy inflicts on me, I will protect my family. Even if it costs me my life.
“Is that all you’ve got?” I taunt, desperation fueling my defiance. “You’re going to have to do better than that.”
“Brave words,” he sneers. “Let’s see if you can keep them up.”
Blood drips from my split lip and splatters onto the cold concrete floor below me. My vision swims in and out of focus, wavering between the harsh reality of the dingy room and the dark abyss that threatens to swallow me whole. I grit my teeth in determination, refusing to allow the darkness to claim me.
“Still nothing?” Timothy snarls, his voice dripping with malice as he delivers another slap across my face. The force of it sends a shock wave of pain through my skull, momentarily making my vision go white.
“Nothing,” I choke out, tasting blood and defiance on my tongue. “I won’t tell you anything.”
“Let’s see what Arlo thinks about that.” Timothy turns to a figure lurking in the shadows, waiting for his cue like a predator ready to pounce.
“Arlo?” My breath hitches at the familiar name, my heart seizing in my chest. It can’t be. Not him.
The man steps forward, allowing the dim light to illuminate his features. My worst fears are confirmed—it is Arlo, the man from the casino night, the one who had seemed so enamored with me. To see him now, betraying the Volkovs, feels like a knife twisting in my gut.
“Recognize her?” Timothy asks, a cruel grin playing on his lips.
“Of course,” Arlo replies, his eyes meeting mine with a cold detachment that makes my blood run cold. “She’s Annalise Tryst. The Volkovs have taken quite an interest in her.”
