Page 44 of Brutal Truths

He claws at the shard, panic replacing that smug control. When he rips it free, blood pours from the wound, soaking the bed. His body collapses on top of mine, heavy, the fight drains out of him in seconds.

Hot tears stream down my face, more from the relief of surviving him than the pain ripping through my body. When his convulsions finally stop, I struggle out from under him, tumbling off the bed, hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

“Pull it together, Isabel,” I tell myself as I push my weak body upright. “You aren’t free yet.”

My legs wobble, but I push forward, grabbing the door handle. It gives with a satisfying click, and I can’t help but grin.

After dragging it open, I rest against the doorframe before moving into the hallway. Rows of identical doors stare back at me.

Are there others like me trapped behind them?

Thunderous footsteps rush up from behind, and I spin too fast. In my haste to flee, I stumble, crashing to the unforgiving floor, the impact jarring through my limbs.

“Fuck off!” I snap, my voice raw with anger. “If you touch me, I’ll kill you!”

The air seems to shift as the person approaches. They crouch beside me, soft fingers brushing my cheek as they tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Good to know you’ve not lost your spunk. How about we get the fuck out of here before you kill me?”

“Aiden?” I don’t know how he found me, but my suspicions about his betrayal resurface. “Fuck off.”

“Not a chance, babe.” Gently, he scoops me up, my broken body finding comfort against his powerful chest. “I’m going to kill whoever did this to you. Slowly.”

“Too late. Already took care of that,” I whisper as I lean into him, too exhausted to argue, too tired to sort through what I’m feeling.

If he’s working for Rurik, I’ll deal with him later, remove his balls with a spoon and make a pretty necklace.

Right now, I can’t think.

I just need a second. So, I let my eyes close. Rest.

Lane’s voice fades in. “Well, damn. Looks like she got to him first. How is she?”

“Bad.” Aiden adjusts me in his arms, his voice stern and lethal. “She’s out. Breathing’s shallow. No way can she walk out of here on her own.”

He’s right. I’m too weak, but I’m not out.

As more footsteps echo on the stairs, I flinch.

Is it Rurik’s men coming to make sure these men don’t leave with me?

Aiden seems to relax when Ryan speaks, his concern clear in his voice. “We need to get her out of here.”

“Russian bastards are dead.” A voice I don’t recognize announces.

Needing to see who that could be, I pry my eyes open just enough to find another familiar face—Marty. And after what I just did, I quickly close them, guilt taking over.

Aiden draws me close and nods toward the room I just came out of. “Another body’s in there. Didn’t get a name, but he’s lucky I didn’t find him first.”

“It’s his brother,” Lane reports.

“Serves him right.” Marty’s cold, unforgiving tone is surprisingly comforting. “Let’s get the fuck out of here while we still can.”

Warm hands move over me, checking my pulse. Not Aiden’s. If anything, his grip grows tighter.

“Fucking hell,” Ryan grunts. “Her heart rate’s low. We need a doctor. She’s been drugged and beaten, possibly…” He doesn’t finish.

Aiden shifts me in his arms, and we’re moving. Quickly, but in a manner that tells me it’s done with caution. I wish I were more alert so that I could watch. I bet it’s an amazing sight to see, but I’m too tired and I just want to get the hell out of here.