19. Chapter 19
Chapter nineteen
EMMA EASTON
We’re all gathered around the dining table for once, not hunched over laptops or pacing the living room or staring at monitors.
Rafe insisted on a break, and somehow, he turned that into a full spread with meats, cheeses, fresh fruit, and crackers.
It’s nice, honestly. Feels like he's hosting a get together instead of hiding us in a remote cabin while a psychopath hunts us.
Adela is tucked into his side at the counter, smiling at something he murmurs to her. Nico and Kieran are still half-working even now, plates in front of them, but their attention is split. It’s the closest thing to normal we’ve had in about a week.
I hover near the table for a moment before drifting toward the couch, where Adriana and Micah are sitting. She’s curled into the corner, a plate balanced on her knee, while Micah leans forward with his elbows on his thighs, talking low enough that it doesn’t carry.
I catch the tail end of whatever he’s saying as I approach, and it's almost…gentle. Which is weird for him when it comes to her.
Adriana glances up when she notices me, offering a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I echo, settling beside them. My fingers curl loosely around the edge of my plate, but I don’t eat.
I haven’t really been hungry lately. For a second, I just listen to them finish their discussion about a time when Jude nearly punched Nolan in the face, and she had to step in to prevent an epic punishment.
Then I look at her. “What are you going to do after this?” I blurt.
Micah’s head tilts, like he wasn’t expecting that direction, but Adriana…
she stills. It’s subtle, but enough that her gaze drops.
“I don’t know,” she says after a moment, her voice quieter now.
She shifts her plate, like she needs something to do with her hands.
“I haven’t really thought that far ahead. ”
There’s something in the way she says it that doesn’t sit right. It almost sounds like she already has an answer she doesn’t want to say out loud.
I glance at Micah, catching the shift in his expression. It’s quick, but it’s there. He’s not choosing to comment on what she said. My brows pull together. I can’t let that slide. “What do you—”
My phone rings, and it’s loud. Every conversation cuts off mid-sentence, every person glancing our way. My stomach drops before I even look at the screen, because for some reason, I already know. With a gulp, I turn the phone over in my hand.
Unknown number.
But it’s not unknown.
Micah’s gaze locks onto mine instantly.
“Alexei,” I say.
My fingers feel colder than they should as I swipe to answer, pushing myself to my feet without fully realizing I’m doing it. The room shifts around me, everyone watching now, waiting. I don’t put it on speaker right away.
“Hello?” I say, forcing my voice to stay level.
“Emma Easton.” His voice is so disturbingly smooth that it makes my skin crawl. And the Russian accent only adds to it.
I close my eyes for half a second before opening them again. “Alexei.”
Rafe is at my side, mouthing a command to put it on speaker.
“You’re avoiding me,” Alexei continues, almost amused. “Ignoring someone like me is not a wise strategy. Especially when I have a buyer lined up for you.”
I flinch at that and hit speaker. “We’ve been busy,” I say evenly.
“I’m aware,” he replies. “You’ve been very active. Breaking things that do not belong to you. Taking things that are not yours.”
My grip squeezes around the phone. “He’s not yours,” I say before I can stop myself.
A soft chuckle echoes through the speaker. “No?” he murmurs. “That is not how I remember it. I paid for him. I own him, you little cunt.”
Silence presses in from all sides as his anger flares out.
But I don’t answer.
“I’ll make this simple,” he says.
My heart starts pounding harder.
“I’m throwing a party,” Alexei continues. “A very public one. I’ve just secured it. I’ll send you the details.”
My stomach twists hard.
No.
“You will bring him to me,” he says calmly. “And Jude will perform. Then he leaves with me. And you? Scurry off back to the States.”
Micah’s breathing is shallow, barely containing his rage.
Rafe doesn’t move at all, but he’s focused.
“And if we don’t?” I ask, even though I’m scared of the answer.
There’s a pause. Long enough to feel intentional. “Then I release everything at the party.”
Every file. Every video.
My hand tightens at my side.
“You’ve seen a glimpse,” Alexei continues, his voice almost conversational again. “Imagine what the world will think when they see the rest. When they understand what he really is.”
My throat burns. “He’s a victim,” I snap.
“No, he likes to kill. I’ve seen it in his face. He just won’t ever admit it to you,” Alexei says, and the amusement is gone now. “He is a weapon, girl. One I built very carefully.”
A beat.
“Is he there?”
My pulse spikes. “No.”
“Pity.”
Another pause. Then, almost lazily, he adds, “You have a deadline. The event begins in five days. If you are not there, everyone will know what Jude is. And they will come for him.”
My fingers start to shake.
“Oh, and,” Alexei says softly. “I found you.”
My stomach drops.
Rafe’s head snaps up.
Alexei continues. “I know exactly where you are now. Charming little cabin.”
Nausea claws up my throat. I’m staring at the phone in my hand, horrified. My body is shaking.
Shit, shit.
“You think you’re hidden,” he says, with a quiet laugh. “But you lit yourself up the moment you touched the recent layer of my system. Very clever work, by the way. Almost impressive.”
My mouth opens and closes, but I’m lost for words.
“And since you seem so fond of hiding,” he goes on, “I thought you’d like to know, you’re being watched.”
My blood turns cold, and I immediately find Rafe’s icy gaze.
“Men are already there,” he says simply. “Outside your little refuge. But I’m patient. I like to play. Especially since I know you don’t have shit on me.”
Micah moves beside me, and Rafe’s expression hardens.
“Don’t bother looking,” Alexei adds lightly. “If you’ve noticed them, I’ll replace them. Kill them. I don’t give a shit.”
I can’t speak.
“Return what is mine,” Alexei grits out. “Or I will give the order to kill every man in that fucking house, and take you, girls, to Vlad. You will be sold like a toy, used up until you die. And Jude will forever know that his friends are either dead or getting drugged and fucked.”
The line goes dead. For a second, no one moves. It doesn’t even sound like anyone is breathing.
“Fuck,” Micah mutters, dragging a hand through his hair as he starts pacing. “Fuck. God fucking dammit.”
Heather’s hand is pressed over her mouth. Nico is already turning, grabbing his laptop. Kieran is swearing under his breath as he unlocks his phone. Adriana stares at the floor like she already knew this was coming. Rafe is the only one still. He’s thinking of what to do. But the truth?
We’re fucked.
***
I don’t even realize I’ve started moving until I’m already at the stairs. “I’m going down,” I say.
Micah’s voice cuts in immediately behind me. “Em—”
I whirl on him. “He has to know.”
His eyes are wide. “I wasn’t stopping you,” he whispers, breathless. “I’m coming with you.”
I nod. We don’t say anything else as we go.
The house feels different now, knowing we’re being watched by men who plan to kill my friends.
To sell us girls to a fucking trafficker.
I won’t let that happen. I don't exactly know how little me could possibly stop this.
But I can try. Our biggest weapon is here, but he's not working properly.
We need him to.
Heather and Rafe follow us downstairs, positioning themselves near the monitors while Adela and Nico focus on the immediate task.
Trying everything to crack the fucking system.
Rafe glances up briefly, and I give him a look that says don’t come in unless I need you. He understands.
Micah lingers at the door when I reach it. “You’re sure?” he murmurs.
“No,” I admit quietly. “But we need to tell him. Let me talk.”
The lock clicks, and I step inside.
Jude is standing when I enter, seemingly mid-pace.
“Alexei just called,” I say.
Anger and alertness flashes behind his hazel eyes. “What did he say?”
“He’s hosting a party in five days. He demanded that you surrender, or he’s going to release everything he has on you.”
He starts pacing again, his chaotic energy desperate for somewhere to go.
“And he found us.”
His body goes rigid. “What?”
“His men are watching us. Now. So either we surrender, or he releases everything and attacks the cabin.”
“He said he’s going to sell the girls, Jude,” Micah interjects.
“Micah,” I snap. But it’s too late.
“No.” Jude's hands flex at his sides. “I told you. I shouldn’t be around you. None of you. Just let me go. Like you fucking should have to begin with.”
“I don’t care,” I say immediately.
That snaps something loose, and he turns on me, eyes sharp now. “You should care,” he says, voice rising. “You don’t understand what I am. You don’t understand what happens when I lose control.”
“I do understand,” I say, stepping further into the room. “And we need you to lose that control on someone else.”
Micah shifts behind me. “Emma—”
“Stop,” I say quietly, not looking back.
Jude laughs once, but there’s nothing in it. “I’m not safe.”
“I never said you were,” I answer.
That lands differently. His gaze snaps to mine again, and I can see that it’s unstable. “Then why are you here?”
“Because I choose to be.”
Micah steps forward. “Jude, just—calm down for a second.”
But Jude ignores his friend. “You need to leave,” he says again, quieter this time. “Both of you. Before—”
“Before what?” I interrupt, braver than I’ve ever felt in my life. We don't have time.
He rips his gaze away, turning his back on me. He can’t take the eye contact.
“Look at me,” I demand.