Brody put Nate down, laying him in the crib. “We’ve got to get him into a routine. The last few nights we’ve put him down late.”

“Or early. Depends on your perspective,” Steph said quietly. “He’s still on African time. He’s also very young. He sleeps most of the day. The fact that he was awake at the club and had attention and affection won’t hurt him. It means he might sleep a little later in the day. Kids are quite resilient at this age. As long as they have loving human contact they can get through almost anything.”

There was something about the set of her shoulders that worried him. She wasn’t relaxed and she hadn’t been for hours. He strode over to her, wishing they were back in the training room when everything had seemed perfect and possible.

“Do you want to talk about it, luv? We could go to the kitchen and I’ll fix us some tea.”

She shook her head. “I just made a pot of coffee for Declan and Shane. I got Tucker some, too. I honestly don’t want any tea.”

He wanted to talk, but maybe they needed sleep more. In the morning, she might be willing to tell him what she was afraid of. “All right. Let’s go to bed, but you need to understand that I’m going to take care of you.”

She glanced at the clock. “I wonder why you didn’t go to that meeting. I get why I’m not there, but I would think if Big Tag and Anya’s brother wanted to talk about how they’re going to take down de Vries, you should be in on that.”

He sat down on the bed in front of her. It was oddly comfortable to share a room with her, like something had finally drifted into place and he was where he should have been all along. “My place is here with you and Nate. Big Tag can take care of Fedor. It’s his job and why we’re here in the first place.”

“I thought we were here because Li and Avery are my only friends.”

There was something up with her and he couldn’t put his finger on it. He unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside while he considered the problem. “You have more friends than you know. And if you had come to England and this was all going down at The Garden, I would still be going to bed with you. I would let Damon handle the big stuff because my main job in life now is to make sure you and Nate are safe and happy.”

She moved closer, placing herself squarely between his legs, her hands on his shoulders. “I believe you.”

His hands found her hips, eager to recapture the intimacy they’d lost earlier. “Good, because I mean it. I was a blind fool, Steph. I never should have left you much less allowed so much time to go by. You need to know that every single day we were apart, I thought about you. I never stopped.” He picked her up and rolled her over on to the bed, putting her on her back. It was exactly where he liked her to be. On her back with her legs spread, welcoming him home. “I have a lot to make up for. I wonder how I can do that.”

She frowned. “Brody…”

Damn it. He was being a selfish git. She was probably sore and tired and he was forcing himself on her. He started to roll off her, but her hands came up, holding him in place.

“Don’t go.” She looked up at him with clear eyes. Such innocent eyes. “I wasn’t trying to stop you. I wanted to switch things up a little. I know we have our places in the bedroom, but I want to look at you this time. I couldn’t see you tonight except in the mirror and while that was hot as hell, I want to be the top. Is that okay?”

She wanted a bit of control, did she? He leaned over, kissing her nose before easing off the bed. “I think I can handle that. What do you want from me?”

She sat up, a gleam in her eyes that satisfied him immensely. “You, naked on this bed.”

That he could definitely do. There was something about the way she ate him up with her eyes that made him feel like he was ten feet tall. He kicked out of his slacks and tossed them aside gently. Every move he made required patience because Nate was sleeping mere feet away.

When he got her back to The Garden, Nate would have his own room and his parents could have some freedom. Well, as much freedom as an infant allowed. He loved the idea of moving her into his flat, waking up with her every morning. If they decided they needed more room or more privacy, they could look around at the pretty walk-ups in Chelsea. Somewhere close, so even when he was out in the field, she would have people she could rely on.

She would get used to having family around. That was something he could offer her, too.

He eased back on the bed, taking up most of the space. Another good thing they would have when they got back to England. His bed was huge. He spread himself out for her as she got up on her knees. She’d shed her jeans and blouse and gotten into one of his T-shirts after she’d showered. Her face was scrubbed clean and she looked even younger than usual. How could he let her know how precious she was to him? How much he regretted the last year? “Do you know how gorgeous you are?”

Her skin flushed and her lips curved in a half smile. “You tell me often enough. Do you know how gorgeous you are?”

“I’m a big dude with a lot of scars, Stephanie. I’m not sure gorgeous is the right word.”

Her eyes widened and she swung a leg over his hips, straddling him. Her hands came down on his chest and she gently pinched his nipple between her thumb and forefinger. “I said you’re gorgeous and you should thank me for my compliment. Isn’t that what the big bad Dom would do?”

He grinned because she hadn’t managed to even send him a tweak of pain. “That’s right. You tell me, luv. You put me in my place when I need it.”

She sat up, her eyes closing as she shifted on top of him. He bit back a groan because her pussy was right on top of his cock and he realized she wasn’t wearing knickers. She rolled her hips, rubbing him to a full erection. How was she wet when he hadn’t even touched her?

“What the hell were you thinking of in the shower?” He whispered the question, rolling his hips in time with hers.

Her eyes opened, seduction plain in her gaze. “I was thinking about you. I was thinking about how much I loved what we did earlier tonight. I loved being completely under your control, but I also wanted to have time where I got to touch you to my heart’s content. Do you know what I felt when you put me in the spreader bar and I couldn’t do anything but accept what you gave me?”

He hoped she’d felt his desire, his overwhelming love for her. “What did you feel?”

“I felt like I was the center of the universe, like I mattered, and often I feel like I don’t.” She leaned over again, brushing her palms against the muscles of his chest. “I felt sexy and beautiful. I want to make sure you feel that way, too. If there’s one thing I can give you…well, I want to make sure you know how I feel.”

He reached up, gripping her left hand and bringing it to his lips. They seemed to have made a real breakthrough this evening despite the fact that the Ukrainians had almost wrecked it all. Taking her into that training room and lavishing her with sex and affection had done wonders for his girl. “You make me feel like I’ve never felt before. Anything you want, all you have to do is ask.”

“All I want is you.” She straightened up and pulled the T-shirt over her head, unveiling the beauty of her breasts, how graceful her curves were.

The words felt like a balm to his soul. They didn’t feel like something she meant only in the moment. They felt like words that promised a future. He knew what he’d told her, but he was already thinking about marrying her. He couldn’t help it.

“All I want is you,” he whispered back. His cock was so close. All it would take was the right angle and he would be inside her. And then he would make the same mistake he’d made before. Not that he could be unhappy about it. Nate was the best mistake he’d ever made. No. Nate hadn’t been a mistake. He’d been fate. That tiny bundle of humanity was the reason two people were going to be together.

Still, as much as he wished he could have been there for her while she was pregnant, he couldn’t do that to her again without careful planning.

“We should get a condom.” He couldn’t let things get out of control.

She stopped, frowning as though shocked she’d been the one to forget. Then she shook her head. “Yes, you’re right.”

She rolled off him and the bed, going to the kit he’d carried with them to Sanctum. She was back in seconds, but she didn’t pass the foil packet to him. “Spread your legs for me, Brody. I want to do this.”

He might not survive, but he wanted her to have some time. She’d given him everything earlier in the evening and he was intent on paying her back. He spread his legs and watched as she crawled on the bed, kneeling between his thighs.

She reached out, skimming over his cock with her fingers.

He bit back a groan.

“Did you know that many men don’t have live sperm in their pre-ejaculate?” Her words were low, and somehow she managed to make the question sexy.

As if she’d called it out, a drop pulsed from the tip of his dick. She swiped it off with her finger and brought it to her lips. “That’s why it’s difficult to get pregnant from pre-come. Unless you’re Brody Carter, of course. That’s how it happened, you know.”

He could barely breathe. How did she do this to him? He’d had her already tonight, but he wanted her so badly he couldn’t see straight. “I won’t apologize. I know it makes me a bastard, but I’m glad it happened. I’m glad we have Nate.”

I’m damn glad I have another chance with you.

She sucked her finger into her mouth and smiled a mysterious smile. “I wouldn’t take it back. Not for anything in the world. That night was the best night of my life and you should know that.”

“Best night of mine, too.” When he thought about it, it was the start of his life, at least the part that had true meaning. He’d rambled through life, drifted through his childhood allowing one day to flow into the next. The only reason he’d joined the Army had been because his brother had and he tended to follow Harry. He’d stumbled into his job, but Steph was different. Steph and Nate were precious. Some men found their passion in their jobs or in hobbies.

He would find his true calling in taking care of his family, the family he would have with Stephanie.

“I didn’t get to look at you enough that night.” She ran her hands across his chest and down his abs, following the neat line of hair that led to his cock.

He forced himself to focus because her hands felt too good on his body. He wanted her to touch him everywhere. “That’s because I went too fast. I wanted you so badly I couldn’t stop myself.”

She wrapped her hand around his cock, starting to pump up and down in a methodical fashion. “You should know I lied to you that night.”

He thought he knew what she was talking about. “You were never going to look for Fain.”

She sighed, a resigned sound. “Well, I tried to look like it didn’t matter. Guess I did a poor job. No, I wasn’t going after Fain. If you had turned me down, I would have gone to my cabin and cried. And I really would cry now, Brody, because now I know what I would be missing.”

This woman knew how to make him feel good. “I don’t think I would have walked away. I don’t think I could have, but it saved us an hour or two. God, that feels good.”

“This should feel even better.” She leaned over and took the head of his cock in her mouth.

It was hard not to scream out. He held on to the sheets as she worked his cock. This was sweet torture and she would find herself on the other side of it soon. He would take everything she had to give and return it all back to her once Nate had a proper nursery. He would tie her up and not let her go until she begged him. He would give her so many orgasms she wouldn’t be able to remember a time when she wasn’t coming for him.

She cupped his balls, gently rolling them in her soft palm. She sucked him, and just when he thought he would come against her tongue, she sat up. Yes, this was definitely torture.

“I’ll get you back for this, luv. You wait. I’ll spend the next few days planning all the ways to make you as desperate as you’re making me.”

A cloud passed over her face, but she seemed to shake it off. If she was afraid, then he would show her there was nothing to be afraid of. He would take care of her in every way possible.

“Why don’t we worry about tonight first,” she said and tore open the condom wrapper. She started to roll it on his cock, taking care with the tip. “Do you have any idea how wet I am? You make me crazy. All you have to do is walk in a room and I want you.”

“That’s good because I want you all the time.”

She moved over him, mounting him. “It’s not a good thing, Brody.”

He held her hips, her heat starting to surround his cock. “What’s bad about it?”

She groaned softly as she slid down. “My panties are always wet.”

He had a good solution. “Stop wearing panties.”

She grinned down at him and then the expression morphed to something full of complex emotion. She leaned over, never losing his cock, and kissed him. “I’m crazy about you. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like I wasn’t. Even when I was so angry with you that I couldn’t see straight, I was crazy about you, Brody Carter.”

This was what he’d been waiting for. For her to give over and see what they could be. One day he’d get an I love you out of her because that was what she meant. But he could be patient as long as she was here and trying. As long as she stayed with him and toughed it out, she would find him the most patient of partners.

And if she needed to go back to Africa, he would go with her. He would give it all up for her if she needed him to. All she had to do was trust him.

He watched as she started to ride him. Her head fell back and he let her set the rhythm. He held her hips, keeping the motion with her. In too short a time, he felt himself tightening up, ready to go off.

He found her clit and started to rub.

She clenched around his cock, her orgasm forcing his own. He dragged her close so he could drink down her cries. He kissed her while the orgasm coursed through him.

She slumped down on his chest. “I can’t believe we didn’t wake the baby.”

He smiled. “We’re getting the parenting thing down, luv.”

And they were getting the couple thing right, too.

 

* * * *

 

Steph rolled out of bed, trying to move as quietly as possible. Trying not to make a sound that might wake the people sleeping close to her. Brody slept on the side closest to the door and Nate’s crib was near her. She glanced at the digital clock. She couldn’t put this off a second longer or her chance would be lost.

“You all right?”

She closed her eyes briefly and wished Brody wasn’t such a light sleeper. She hadn’t wanted to lie to him. Not that sneaking out in the middle of the night wouldn’t upset him enough. Somehow, she’d hoped to get away without the blatant lie. “I’m fine. Just need a glass of water. My throat’s dry.”

“I’ll get it for you,” he whispered and started to stretch.

She couldn’t let that happen. She leaned over and planted her lips on his, putting her hands on either side of his handsome face. “It’s okay. I’m going to the bathroom anyway. You go back to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”

In the low light she saw his lips curl up in the sexiest, sweetest grin. “I need it. You’re a tireless woman.”

When they’d climbed into bed, she’d known she couldn’t leave without being with him one last time. She’d kissed her way down his chest, trying to memorize every inch of his skin. She’d worshipped him the way he worshipped her. And when he’d rolled her over and pulled her into his arms, she’d known she would never love anyone the way she did this man.

He was the one for her. If only she’d been the one for him.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She didn’t want to leave him. She wanted to climb back into bed and tell him everything that had happened. She wanted to hand it all over to him and let him deal with it. That was what she’d promised him she would do. Not a few hours before, she’d let him hold her and told him she trusted him with this problem. He would take care of it.

And then a bunch of Ukrainian assassins would come after him. Yes, he was trained to handle things like this, but she couldn’t risk his life. Or Nate’s.

She slipped into the bathroom. She’d stashed a pair of jeans and a T-shirt she hurriedly dressed in. Her purse was out on the bar in the kitchen, and that was where she needed to go next.

Calm. She had to stay calm. This was stupid. It was stupid but she couldn’t think of another thing to do.

You could trust him. You could have a little faith.

She eased the bathroom door shut and was confronted with the reason she couldn’t take the chance. Nate was lying in his borrowed crib, his face peaceful as he slept.

Her baby. Her own sweet boy, and he deserved the best she could give him. The best world she could give him didn’t include his young, fragile life ending far too soon.

Steph took a deep breath. She didn’t want to leave them. Her boys.

What would her life have been like if she’d stayed home that night? If she’d decided to study instead of going to that party? Would she have still found these two? Her lover and her baby boy. Would she have found herself in Africa?

Probably not. She would have followed her father’s advice and gone into plastic surgery where she could make bank and live a beautiful life. She wouldn’t have known Brody Carter or any of the people she’d met along the way. Avery’s daughter would be halfway through high school.

But her son would never have been born.

Liam would never have met Avery and never have changed.

Brody rolled over and Steph froze. He seemed to sigh in his sleep and she knew the time had come. No more waiting. Besides, she’d put this plan into motion an hour ago when she’d been kind enough to deliver coffee to the bodyguards on duty. She doubted Brody would forgive her for that. Hell, Liam wouldn’t forgive her for that. He would be angry that she’d put his employees in that position.

Maybe they hadn’t drank the coffee that she’d laced with the strong sedative Fedor had slipped into her purse along with instructions on how and when he would pick her up.

 What the hell was she doing?

She loved Brody. It was right there in her heart, but she couldn’t trust it. Her world simply didn’t work in a way that ended with her happy.

A vision of his big, warm body gone cold in a coffin assaulted her. Would she bury him beside their son? Was this the universe’s way to find balance for what she’d caused before? This time she would be the one to lose her husband and child. She only thought she’d felt the worse pain imaginable, but it was still out there, lurking and waiting. Biding its time until the moment was perfect to strike.

It was here now. The time to pay for all her sins, and her whole body ached with what would happen next.

She forced herself to walk into the living room, trying to keep her step as light as possible. The lamp in the living room was on, illuminating her way. There was Shane. It looked like he’d tried to call someone. His phone was on the floor in front of him, but he hadn’t made it out of the comfy chair he’d been sitting in. The coffee was next to him, half empty, and his chest was moving up and down in the easy motion of sleep.

She’d made sure of the dose. Luckily she’d known the pharmaceutical well. She’d taken it herself before she’d gotten pregnant. Dreamless sleep was what it offered.

Declan was on the sofa across from him. Thank god. She’d been worried he would have time to start his rounds. Declan walked the grounds at least once an hour, and she’d been afraid she would find him passed out on the grass. She couldn’t leave him out in the elements, and that would have slowed her down.

Tucker had likely taken his back to his bedroom. He would wake up in the morning with no bad effects. He would wonder what had happened and why she’d done what she’d done.

Everything had worked perfectly. All signs pointed to this plan coming to fruition. The plan where she sacrificed herself for her son and Brody.

She picked up her purse and took the cell phone that de Vries had sent to her. Shane and Declan had been tasked with keeping it close and monitoring it, but she couldn’t leave it behind. She was the one who had to answer that phone when it rang, even if she had zero control over what happened in the next few hours of her life. Perhaps the last few hours.

It didn’t matter. She shoved the cell phone into the purse and wished she had time to leave a note. She wished she could say all the things she wanted to say, that she was sorry she hadn’t been better, sorry she had to make this choice. But when she thought about it, it had been made long ago.

There was no time. If she didn’t show up, Fedor would put his plan in motion.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, wishing she could hold them both one last time.

Steph strode out the door, resolute. This was for the best.

Brody would wake up in the morning and he would take care of their son. Eventually he would take Nate back to London where he would be raised in a normal way. He would go to school and have friends. He wouldn’t spend all his time in a clinic. He wouldn’t have to worry about the next medical crisis or whether or not the ground beneath him would shift and he would end up in the middle of a civil war.

He would have a happy life.

Tears blurred her eyes as she rushed to the gate that led to the sidewalk. She tried to push through the gate but it held.

She pushed again. It didn’t move. Where was the latch? There had to be a way to open it. Of course they would lock it from the outside, but she hadn’t thought about it not opening from the inside.

“It’s locked.”

She nearly screamed when she watched Tucker peel away from the shadows. He’d gotten dressed again. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been in pajama bottoms and a T-shirt, his shoes off. He was ready to be outside, his sneakers and jeans back on.

“Don’t try to stop me. You don’t understand what’s going on.” Pure panic threatened. All Tucker had to do was shout out and Brody might hear him. There was no way she could outrun Tucker.

He stared at her for a moment. “You drugged the coffee.”

“You didn’t drink the mug I brought you.” She’d handed him a mug after making sure it had the ton of sugar he seemed to require. He’d thanked her with a smile. She hadn’t thought to watch him drink it.

“I didn’t trust you,” he admitted. “I don’t know why, but it felt odd for you to do that. Your hand was shaking when you passed the mug to me. Not much, but enough to make me curious. I wanted to see what you were doing. Now I realize you could have killed Shane and Dec. At the time it only occurred to me that you were going to attempt to run away, but I should have thought about more nefarious purposes. Please tell me you didn’t kill them. That would make it my fault, too. Brody says I never think. He was right. How will I go back home and explain that I let men die because I thought you wouldn’t really hurt them?”

“I didn’t kill anyone. It was a sedative. They’ll sleep a nice eight to ten hours and they’ll be fine in the morning. Please, Tucker. You have to let me go.” Why hadn’t she thought about the gate? How was she going to get out of here? She had minutes to get to the car that would be waiting for her. Minutes before she would hear it drive away and the decision would be made.

She could put her baby into hiding, but how could they fight the entire Ukrainian syndicate? All they needed to do was get lucky once and she would lose everything. Was that any way to live a life? Always running and hiding.

She couldn’t breathe. It was like someone was sitting on her chest. In her logical mind, she understood that she was having a panic attack, but her heart was seizing.

“Why? Why are you doing this?” Tucker asked.

“Because they’ll kill my baby if I don’t. They’ll kill Brody. They’ll hurt everyone I love. I have to.”

“That’s what he was saying to you.” Tucker sounded perfectly calm. “Again, I should have read that better. I’m not good at reading body language. I thought something bad was going on when he was talking to you by the window. But then you smiled and I thought it was okay. You’re an excellent liar.”

She doubted it. “Please let me go. I have to do what they want or they’ll hurt my son.”

How long did she have left? How much time was there? Tucker was close, so close he could reach out and grab her. She didn’t have anywhere to run.

“Tucker, you don’t remember the people you loved, but can you imagine that you did love someone? You know what it means to empathize, right? Think about how it would feel to love someone with your whole heart. What if the only way you could save that person is to sacrifice yourself? Would you do it? Could you live with yourself if you didn’t?”

He moved to the gate and for a moment she was afraid he would reach for her and haul her back to the house.

His hand moved over the electronic lock and it popped open. He shoved the key card back into the pocket of his jeans. “I suppose I couldn’t. I’ll probably get in trouble for this. I need a good cover story or they’ll kill me.”

“They won’t kill you. They’ll understand.” She wasn’t as sure, but she knew Brody wouldn’t truly hurt this young man. She took a deep breath and put a hand on his face. He was taller than she was, a good half a foot, but he seemed so much younger than she. Oh, she knew he was likely in his mid- to late-twenties, but there was something about the openness of his handsome face that made him seem almost innocent. “Thank you. You can’t know how much you’ve done for me. Please give me a few minutes before you wake Brody.”

“I won’t. He’s extremely cranky when he doesn’t get his sleep.” Tucker stepped back, allowing her access to the now open gate.

She chuckled but knew that was a lie. As soon as he could, he would run to wake everyone and they would be after her. “Tell them you saw me leave but couldn’t catch up. Tell them anything you need to in order to keep yourself safe.”

“Why would I do that?”

She barely heard his whispered question as she turned and ran down the sidewalk, her feet pounding against the pavement. Fast, she had to move fast and pray she wasn’t too late. One block and then she turned. Right or left? Left. He’d said left. The neighborhood was affluent, with big, sprawling homes and plenty of old trees. No one was out at this time of the night. The whole world seemed dark and peaceful, perfectly quiet save for the sound of crickets chirping. She could hear her own heart beating as she tried to make it to the meet-up point.

She turned down the next street and in the distance could see the lights of downtown. Brody would be there in the morning, working at the office, trying to find her. Or perhaps he would be so angry with her, he’d simply take Nate and walk away.

Where was it? Had they already left? What would she do? She sniffled, trying to stop the stupid tears from running down her face.

There it was. A big van sat at the end of the block, its brake lights a beacon in the darkness. Like two red eyes watching for her, waiting in the darkness to scoop her up. Once she stepped into that van, she wouldn’t see her son again. Wouldn’t feel Brody’s arms around her. She would be alone for the rest of her short life.

But Nate would live. Brody would live. He would get over her and find a proper mother for Nate. A mom who could teach him joy and happiness. A mom who would love him with her whole heart because she knew Brody wouldn’t choose anyone else.

Her son was safe with him.

The door to the back of the van opened. A tall man wearing all black stepped out. “I was beginning to worry you would not show, Dr. Gibson. We were about to leave without you.”

She stopped in front of him, trying to catch her breath. “I want you to promise you won’t hurt my son or Brody Carter.”

Fedor Shadrova bowed his head slightly, a courtly gesture. “We had a deal. I always honor my deals. No harm will come to your loved ones. And you should understand that if something goes wrong, I will consider all the responsibility on de Vries. You have honored our deal.” His arm came up, gun metal flashing in the low light. “Although part of that deal was you coming alone.”

She turned and Tucker stood behind her. His hands came up, showing that he carried no weapons. “What are you doing?”

“Yes, I remember you from the club. You did not come back to the office with us,” Fedor said. “I assumed you weren’t an important employee.”

“I’m not. I’m not even an employee,” Tucker replied. “I’m more like a burden.”

Why was he here? Did he think he could take on Fedor and his men all alone? “He’s no one. He’s not important and he won’t hurt anyone.”

“Excellent.” Even in the darkness she could see Fedor’s predatory smirk. “Then no one will miss him.”

“I know where the flash drive is,” Tucker said, his tone perfectly calm.

Fedor stopped, going still. “The one they wish to exchange for my sister?”

Tucker stood tall. “Yes, that one. But I’m only going to talk to de Vries. Take me to him and we’ll all get what we want. You get your sister. Stephanie gets to be a martyr, and I get what I want, too.”

“And what is that?” Fedor asked.

“A shit ton of cash. Lots and lots of cash,” Tucker replied.

“I should kill you where you stand,” Fedor said.

Tucker’s head shook. “And then you’ll never get your sister back because if you think de Vries is going to be satisfied with the doc and Alfi Dauterre, you’re wrong about him. He wants everything. He needs everything. His employer won’t be satisfied without it.”

“You seem to know a lot about this.” Fedor’s gun didn’t waver.

“I listen. Even when people think I’m not listening, I get the gist of what’s happening. A smart man knows how to handle his responsibilities,” Tucker replied. “And don’t bother searching me. I put it in a safe place.”

“Get in,” Fedor ordered. “We’ll see how you handle torture.”

Tucker’s lips quirked up in a savage grin. “I think I’m a professional at that. I don’t know. Sometimes it’s hard to remember, but I think I’ll be good at this.”

Fedor pulled her into the van and she realized he wasn’t alone. There was a man driving, and two more inside.

Was Tucker telling the truth? He knew where the drive was and he wanted money? It wouldn’t be the first time she’d been betrayed, but she couldn’t stand to think about how Brody would take the news. He would be devastated.

All this time Tucker had been pretending to be his friend.

She heard the sickening sound of bone meeting metal and when she managed to turn, Tucker’s unconscious body was being hauled in.

The doors closed again and the van started to pull away.

She tried to glance out the window, but she couldn’t see anything.

“Time for you to rest as well, Doctor. I don’t like it when my plans are upended.” Fedor’s voice came out of the darkness and then something came down hard on her head.

Pain flared, but it was only for a moment. Then darkness was all she could see.