— MARA
The footsteps descended.
Slow. Methodical. Hunting.
Cassian's arm tightened around me. His other hand gripped the g*n.
I could feel his heartbeat. Fast. Controlled. Ready.
The light from above grew brighter.
Voices. Speaking Russian. Close now.
Too close.
Cassian pulled me deeper into the cellar. Behind the wine racks. Into shadows.
I pressed against him. Trying to become invisible.
His lips found my ear. "Don't move. Don't breathe. Don't exist."
I nodded against his chest.
The footsteps reached the bottom of the stairs.
Two men. Both armed. Both scanning the cellar with flashlights.
They spoke to each other. Words I didn't understand.
But I understood the tone.
Hunting. Searching. Determined.
One of them moved toward the wine racks.
Toward us.
Cassian's g*n rose.
