Page 107 of Silent Ties

“Hold on,” Dima barks, wanting to clear the entrance himself.

There’s no time.

I push past Max and come to a stop one step inside.

I opened the door, but maybe it should’ve stayed shut.

“Holy fuck.” I don’t know if it’s Dima or Lev’s voice. Everything sounds underwater.

“Russ.” Max holds me upright.

“Why is there so much blood?”

Dimly, I’m aware that from that moment forward someone else takes control of the scene.

“Max.” I fight the arm snaking around my waist.

He’s pulling me out of the room.

“Why is there so much blood?”

Voices collide together.

I think people ask each other what the fuck this is. Some of the details are clear enough. The giant bed, the sex toys. But what’s unusual is the pregnant woman on the ground.

And the ungodly amount of blood stained throughout the room.

“Daisy.” I try to get out of Max’s grip. I’ll bruise, the way he holds me so tight.

Dima’s pointing at people, guards snapping to.

“No, you have to help her,” I cry. My eyes burn, tears irritating my skin. I fight harder, beating against Max, trying to get to Daisy. Trying to get away from the drumming vibrations in my chest.

Tell me I didn’t survive this all for nothing.

“The baby!” I shout.

Voices grow. The scene is taken over by guards surveying the damage. Roma’s sad eyes burn into me more than Max’s furious ones. Even Elijah, unfeeling as he is, stands pale next to his uncle, hands in his pockets as he stares at the blood.

“Somebody help her!”

“Shut up, Russet,” Max orders.

I struggle against his hold, not caring if he topples down the stairs.

“Max.” His father’s voice cuts through the air. It’s the only thing that makes me stop. “Take her home.”

CHAPTER 27

Russet

Home, apparently means a basement somewhere. Or a giant warehouse with basement vibes.

Max stuck me in a black SUV, the car peeling out.

I didn’t look back. I didn’t want to look back.

Max ran a hand down me, pulling away when I flinched. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching. “Are you hurt anywhere?” he asked, sliding away from me.