Chapter 200 - Talia

I stood with my ear pressed against the steel door. Tried to slow my breathing so I could pick up any sound other than the heartbeat that was thumping through my ears. What the hell was going on? And why was I supposed to be quiet?

My face still ached from the hard blow of Arkady's hand. I pushed back the tears that wanted to form. He was nothing to me. Nothing but a means of escape. The fact that he was sometimes nice should hold no bearing.

I needed to remember that he was doing a job. Even if he wasn't always an asshole, I was still a captive here.

I had to admit that having him in my corner was really the only positive I'd been able to find. That he was willing to stand in the gap for me...it meant I could relax. If only for just a little while. And I needed that.

Well, I wanted that. That comfort. That space to breathe. But it certainly wasn't a need. I needed to stay alive. I needed to get out of here. Those were true needs.

As I stood at the door, I heard muted ton