Page 53 of Victor's Lethal Desire
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"It's done!" I yell.
I yank the adapter free, my fingers fumbling as I pop the fake diamond back into place and shove myself to my feet.
More loud Russian comes through the dead man's walkie-talkie.
"What's he saying?" Victor asks.
I run over to one of the dead guards and grab his pistol.
"They're sending men now," I say, checking the magazine.
"Let's move."
Victor grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the door. We sprint down the hallway, his grip iron-tight on me.
As soon as we reach the end of the hallway, we hear the elevator ding.
Victor pulls me backward, pivoting toward the stairwell. We burst through the door, and any hope of getting out is shattered as the thunder of heavy boots storming up the steps fills my ears.
We manage to get down two flights of stairs before we're forced to exit the stairwell into the hallway.
Even two floors below the penthouse, we can still hear Russian voices growing louder, echoing all around us. They're taking the stairs, elevators, coming up any way they can.
"They're fucking everywhere," he says as he slows in the middle of the hallway.
He looks around and tries an unmarked door.
It opens.
He turns, pulls me inside, steps in after me, and quietly shuts the door behind us.
Darkness swallows us whole.
I try to catch my breath as I figure out where we are.
As my eyes adjust, I realize the space is tiny, a supply closet or something. It's barely wide enough for one person, let alone two.Shelves dig into my back. Victor's chest presses flush against mine, his body radiating heat in the cramped space.
Footsteps pound past the door, shouting, and walkie-talkies crackle with noise.
I hold my breath as if it will give me away, and every muscle locks tight in my body.
Victor's hand slides down to my waist, pulling me even closer. His other hand braces against the wall beside my head, caging me in. I can feel the hard planes of his chest rising and falling against my cheek, his heartbeat rapid, strong.
For a split second, I feel something I haven't felt in years.
Safe.
The thought terrifies me more than the guards outside.
After a few moments, he looks down at me, and I look up at him, his face becoming more visible as my eyes fully adjust to the darkness.
Victor's breath is warm against my skin, and I notice his lips are close to mine as he whispers, "I have a way out."
I swallow hard, my throat dry.
"Then what are we waiting for?" I ask.
