Page 81 of Caged

“That’s just as stupid. She’s going to own you, Mila.” His frown deepens.

“I don’t care at this point. She can use me for whatever she wants as long as Daniil is safe. I have my seven seconds,” I say quietly.

It will be the best memories of my life.

“You’ll be blood tied to her for life, Mila. It’s a huge fucking risk.” His voice is getting that stressed sound.

“I’m a walking time bomb. How long before Nikolai finds me and tries to end me? It doesn’t matter what I do now, I’m fucked. I need to save my brother.” I roll back over and stare at the compound below me.

It’s a damn fortress.

That’s built by a man who has gotten where he is from using people. He’s prepared for retaliation.

Tatiana is my only option.

I always forget how gorgeous and scary as hell she is in person.

This time is worse. I have something she wants, and I’m the one at her mercy.

“You have a lot of balls, Mila. I’m not sure if I should be impressed or furious at you.” Tatiana crosses her legs, revealing a slit in her ebony dress that exposes a pale thigh.

She brushes a lock of her long, black hair from her cheek as she brings a cigarette to her red lips. “Do I just kill you now? What reason should I have for helping you if you aren’t going to give me what I hired you to do?”

I’m struggling to not run away. She didn’t get to this level of power by being nice.

She may not have been in this position for long, and no one knows where she came from, but her violent reputation has spread quickly.

Everyone knows not to mess with her.

Yet here I am.

Tyler is standing quietly behind me. He tried to argue with me the entire way here.

There’s no other choice.

I have to take any risk to save Daniil.

“I have the drive. And, a request. I need help getting into Volkov’s estate. He has my brother.” My words all run together.

Her mouth purses and she stares at me until I shift uncomfortably.

“The item I sent you for isn’t worth the life of my men.” She leans forward letting smoke unfurl from her mouth like a dragon watching its prey. “What else can you possibly offer me to inspire my help?”

When I step forward, I can feel Tyler’s hand grab at my elbow.

Any risk.

“I have his diamonds. I’ll give them to you if you can get my brother out.”

“Mila!” Tyler hisses.

I wave him off.

Tatiana raises one sleek eyebrow. “Do you have a sample?” Her nails click as she snaps her fingers toward a well-dressed man standing near her.

He walks up to me with his palm extended.

I knew it’d come to this. Pulling out the only gem I brought, I place it in the middle of his hand.