Born into Chaos (Devils Will Rise: Melnikov Legacy #3)

Chapter 12

Svetlana

I clutch Samantha to my chest, kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear that she’s safe and that I love her. I tell her again that Vitya will find us and get us out of here, and my voice cracks when I say his name. I can’t imagine how scared he must be right now. When I’d woken up last night to give Samantha her bottle, I’d planned on feeding her on the couch so he wouldn’t wake up. I didn’t realize we weren’t alone until the gun was pressing to the back of my head and a stranger’s voice was telling me to not make a sound. He’d told me if I screamed that he would kill Vitya and Samantha. He said he’d let me live, and in that moment I couldn’t imagine anything worse than that. I’d been frozen with terror, holding Samantha as he removed the gun from my head and aimed it at her instead. I knew in that moment that I would agree to anything if it meant keeping the two of them safe.

I kiss her soft cheek again, remembering how I’d convinced him to let me pack her diaper bag and grab extra formula. While I was packing, I’d looked out the front window, my heart sinking when I saw the white truck parked out front, knowing that Vitya had been right about being followed. I’d scribbled a note for him as I grabbed the formula, but I was in such a hurry that I don’t even know if it was legible or if he’s even found it. I have to believe that he has. I have to believe that he and my family are looking for us. I’m not sure how they’re going to find us, but I have to believe that they will.