Crave (Talon Security #1)(43)

His blood splattered onto my skin and clothes as his huge frame collapsed to the ground. For a moment it was quiet, the only sound my rapid breaths as my chest heaved.

Then the door burst open, Osip and the other man barreling in with their guns trained on me.

I spun to face them, pointing my gun at the two of them.

Osip’s eyes shot down to his fallen partner and then to my tattered clothes. He spat out a word that I could only guess was some sort of curse. When he looked at me again, I saw something in his gaze somewhat akin to respect.

“He’s a big man,” he commented, his gun still trained on me.

“He was,” I stated simply.

He smiled then. “He was,” he agreed. “You are brave. I respect that. Boris was a stupid lug. He was under orders not to touch you. His death is of no… how do you say? No consequence to me.” He nodded, looking pleased that he’d remembered the term. “But Yury and I”—his head indicated the driver—“we will have to kill you if you don’t drop your weapon. I’m surprised that I don’t want to do that,” he mused.

I looked at them both warily, knowing I was outnumbered. I had a chance to kill one of them but not both, not before I was killed myself. After a moment more of hesitation, I lowered my hand and let the gun drop with a clatter to the ground.

Yury bent down to pick it up as I sat in resignation back on the couch.

“What do you want with me?” I demanded, the adrenaline coursing through my veins making me brave.

Osip sat on the folding chair across from me, inspecting his manicured nails for a moment. “I want my diamond. It’s that simple. My contact assures me that if I deliver you, I’ll get it.”

I wrinkled my brow in confusion—that made no sense.

“Who is your contact?” I pressed.

He smiled coldly. “That’s enough talking for now, girl. We wait.”

I curled up into the corner of the sofa, and despite my dire situation, I felt my eyelids grow heavy.

*****

I slept fitfully, drifting between dreams and reality.

I saw Sid’s handsome face, his gorgeous blue eyes warm on mine. I dreamed of him wrapping me up in his arms where I felt safest in the world. I saw glimpses of a future with him holding a dark-haired little boy with huge blue eyes who looked just like his father.

The dream morphed into Osip’s cruel face and his hands around my neck.

I woke with a start, scrambling to sit up. Osip and Yury stared at me curiously, still seated in the folding chairs as though nothing had changed.

How long had I been asleep? Minutes? Hours?

Time had all blended since this nightmare had started. I ran a shaking hand through my hair as my eyes shot to Boris, still crumbled in a pool of his own blood. My stomach lurched at the sight of him.

I reached a hand up, touching my swollen nose tenderly, knowing blood was still caked all over my face. Some of it was mine, most of it was Boris’s. I must have made for a frightful sight.

Yury rose and said something to Osip before he slipped out the front door.

He didn’t come back.

I saw the moment when Osip realized it. His eyes shot to the door and a look of anxiety flashed across his face before he masked it with cold realization.

He stood, looking as though he was going to come for me, just as three red dots appeared on his head and chest. He looked down and swore.

He was a marked man.

Sid.

I let out a shaky breath of relief. My man had come for me.

The door was kicked in with a violent crack as Sid and Theo entered the room armed with rifles pointed at Osip. Dressed in full combat gear, complete with bulletproof vests, goggles, and helmets, they were prepared for war.

“Drop your weapon. Now!” Sid barked.

A red dot remained on Osip and I realized one of the other guys must be outside keeping him in range.

Osip let out a growl of frustration but quickly complied and held his hands up.

Theo collected the gun before restraining Osip with methodic efficiency. Theo’s eyes shot to Boris’s body, a look of confusion on his face. “You shot your own guy?”

Osip let out a chuckle as Theo brought him roughly to his feet. “No. She did.” His chin pointed toward me as I sat surveying the scene in front of me with wide shocked eyes.

“Baby. Sam.” Sid’s voice was cautious as he approached me, as though I was a frightened animal. “It’s okay now. You’re safe.”

I looked up at him as Travis stepped into the room, dressed much like the other guys. “She all right?” he demanded.

“Baby.” Sid tried again, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Are you hurt?”

I swung my gaze over to him, locking in on his worried bright blue eyes.

“There’s a lot of blood.” Travis’s voice was worried.