AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Viktor walked over to Tim and laid a hand on his shoulder. “I won’t even ask if you’re fine. But if you need a break, let me know. I can take over.”
“Not going to let those terrorists win,” Tim whispered before choking with emotion. “I’m just…she was just a kid.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “I should be asking you if you’re all right, Viktor. The choices you make—” Tim broke off.
“Are choices someone needs to make,” a voice spoke behind them. Maia.
A bruise was forming on her cheek where Rafiq’s man had struck her.
“Katerina—” Viktor said softly.
“Can I talk to you?” Maia asked.
He nodded and they walked off to a quiet corner.
“We’ve talked about this scenario before.” Maia exhaled with a shudder. “But it actually happened today. It doesn’t matter if it was me or Holly that got shot, you still did the right thing. And if our situations were reversed, I would have done the same thing.”
“Thanks,” Viktor said wryly. “Jack brought up a good point earlier. If it was Jack’s life at stake, Maia, would you have made the decision I did?”
A chagrined expression came over Maia’s face. She looked down at her feet and shook her head. “Honestly? I don’t know. Doesn’t mean I love you less than Jack.”
“Bullshit.”
“That’s a damning question, Viktor. Why would you ask me that?”
“Because your husband asked me that if it were Marissa’s life on the line, if I would’ve withheld the codes.”
“What did you say?”
“I don’t know.”
“Wait. Do you mean you love her more than me?” There was hurt in Maia’s voice. “You haven’t known her that long.”
Viktor blinked. “What?”
“Love.” Maia rolled her eyes. “You love her more than me.”
“I don’t love Marissa,” Viktor scoffed, then paused.Fuck. Did he love her? Was there any other explanation?
“Great. I’d be horrified if you did,” a voice said beside them.
Maia’s eyes widened like saucers, and Viktor cursed Marissa’s rotten timing. His eyes reluctantly met arctic green ones that could have frozen him in place.
“Yeager wants a word in the briefing room,” Marissa told him in a flat voice. Her features were composed, and, like Maia, a bruise was forming on one side of her face.
“Iz—”
“It’s Ms. Cole,” she corrected. “Let’s stay professional, shall we, Mr. Baran?”
“Damn it, listen to me—” Viktor grabbed her arm.
“If it has nothing to do with the crisis at hand, then no,” Marissa said with finality. “I’m not needed here any longer. I’ll be in touch when Matsuda wakes up.”
Viktor yanked her to him, but before he could say anything, she hissed, “Do not make a scene. I am done with you.”
She glared at him. He wanted to drag her off to a room and have it out with her, but he spied Yeager waiting impatiently near the hallway leading to the briefing room. He released her. “I’m not done with you, sweetheart.” He stalked off to meet with the black ops director.
Maia ran after him. “That was a moronic thing to say.”
“Haven’t you said enough?” Viktor snapped.
