The sound of boots outside the broken windows froze the air inside the abandoned building.

Every breath was too loud, every heartbeat a countdown.

Nikolai’s hand tightened on his gun, his other still resting against my jaw, holding me as though by touching me he could anchor himself against the storm waiting to tear us apart. His gaze locked with mine, fierce and unyielding.

“They tracked us,” he whispered, his voice low but edged with fire. “Stay behind me, no matter what happens.”

The chain rattled against the door.

I flinched, instinctively moving closer to him, so close I felt his heat seeping through the ash and sweat on his...