Alexei's grip on Natalia's hand tightened as Leonid Orlov's gun remained steadily aimed at them. The air around them seemed to thicken, a palpable tension hanging in the balance between life and death. Orlov's cold gaze flickered between them, his finger hovering near the trigger, but not pulling it just yet.
"You were always a survivor, Alexei," Orlov said, his voice smooth, almost mocking. "But even survivors meet their end eventually."
Alexei didn't flinch. His eyes, cold and calculating, bore into Orlov's. "If you wanted me dead, Leonid, you wouldn't be talking. So what is this?"
Natalia's heart pounded in her chest. She felt the weight of Alexei's body beside her, shielding her from the threat, but the truth was clear—they were trapped. No amount of bluffing could change that. They needed an escape plan, and fast.
Orlov tilted his head, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Smart as ever. You're right. I could have killed you both already. But Sorokin has bigger plans for you, Alexei. For both of you."
"What plans?" Natalia couldn't stop herself from asking. The words slipped out before she could think, her voice cutting through the silence. If there was some greater game being played, she needed to know.
Orlov's gaze shifted to her, his smile fading as he studied her with cold indifference. "Ah, Natalia Kovalenko. The great patriot, willing to sacrifice anything for her country." He chuckled softly. "It's funny how love makes fools of even the strongest, isn't it?"
Alexei's jaw clenched. "Get to the point."
Orlov stepped closer, his boots echoing in the alley. "Sorokin's orders were clear: bring you both in, alive. Apparently, your love story has more value than either of you realized."
Natalia's mind spun. Why would Sorokin want them alive? What game were they caught in, and why were they so important to him? The pieces weren't adding up.
"I don't care what Sorokin wants," Alexei said, his voice hardening. "I'm not going back."
Orlov's grin widened. "Oh, you will. You'll go back, Alexei, because you have no choice. And she'll come with you. You think you're running from one man, but you're running from an entire machine. There's no escape."
Natalia's breath quickened. She glanced at Alexei, searching his face for answers, but his expression remained unreadable. In that moment, she knew he was calculating their next move, weighing every option—no matter how impossible.
Suddenly, without warning, Alexei lunged. His hand shot out, grabbing Orlov's gun arm before the man could react. Natalia barely had time to register the movement before they were locked in a vicious struggle, both men grappling for control of the weapon.
"Run!" Alexei shouted, his voice sharp, commanding.
For a moment, Natalia hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to stay, to help him. But Alexei's eyes locked onto hers, and in them, she saw the plea. He was buying her time—time to escape, time to survive.
Her feet moved before her mind could catch up, and she turned, sprinting down the alley. The sound of their struggle faded behind her as she ran, her heart pounding in her ears. Every step felt like a betrayal, every breath a reminder of the danger she was leaving behind.
The city around her was a blur, the streets unfamiliar and unfriendly in the dim light of the early morning. She had no destination, no plan, only the primal need to get away, to put as much distance between her and the chaos as possible.
But then, as she rounded a corner, she skidded to a stop.
Blocking the alleyway ahead were three black SUVs, their engines idling, and their headlights cutting through the darkness like predators' eyes. Men dressed in dark suits and armed with rifles stood in a line, waiting.
Her heart sank. There was no escape.
Before she could react, a man stepped forward from the shadows, his face illuminated by the SUV's headlights. Natalia's blood froze as she recognized him.
It was Sorokin.
"Natalia," Sorokin said, his voice cold and controlled. "You didn't think you could run forever, did you?"
Natalia took a step back, her mind racing, searching for options. But there were none. They had planned for everything—except this. Her eyes darted around the alley, but there was no way out. No way to fight back.
Sorokin stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. "This is over. You're coming with me."
Natalia's pulse raced, her body screaming at her to run, to fight, to do anything but surrender. But her limbs felt heavy, her options gone.
Just as Sorokin reached her, the distant sound of gunfire echoed through the streets. Natalia's breath caught. Alexei.
Her chest tightened, panic rising in her throat. She had left him behind. She had run, just as he told her, and now—
Sorokin's hand wrapped around her arm, his grip firm as he pulled her toward the waiting SUVs. "Don't worry about Alexei," he said, his voice almost mocking. "We'll deal with him in due time."
Natalia's heart sank as she was dragged toward the car. This was the end. There was no way out, no way to save herself—or Alexei.
But as Sorokin opened the door to the SUV and pushed her inside, Natalia's mind raced with a single thought.
This isn't over.