<b>Chapter </b><b>176 </b>


    Elena’s POV:


    “Now….you either step back. Or I shoot. I don’t mind doing it in front of these people. But the clean up won’t be pretty.” Lazar’s voice was a low<i>, </i>taunting purr, his eyes darting around the crowded hospital lobby, taking in the terrified faces of the patients and staff. The threat was casual and it was aimed directly at Benjamin.


    I clenched my jaw, the muscles in my face tight with a furious, desperate energy, and nced at Benjamin. His gaze was fixed on Lazar, his hand still holding the firearm steady.


    He wouldn’t listen to me even if I told him to step away. I knew that. He would only listen to Niki. But I had realized something, a gut–wrenching hunch, and I also knew how desperate Benjamin looked.


    I only had one idea and one choice. A reckless choice that went against every sensible bone in my body. I prayed it worked.


    “I’ll go with you…. just let me see my son onest time.” I finally said, the words tasted like ash in my mouth. My fists were clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. I could feel the cold sweat beading on my brow. I needed to get him to lower his guard, just for a second.


    Lazar scoffed, the sound a low, dismissive sound that was dripping with contempt. The next second, he aimed and shot. The sound was deafening, a sharp crack that echoed off the white marble walls of the lobby. The gun which Benjamin held flew back, spinning through the air andnding with a tter on the floor. Benjamin groaned, a low, pained sound, but he still moved forward, his eyes on Lazar, his jaw set.


    However, I knew from my point of view that he’d only get shot in the chest next if he kept going. I had to stop him. “Okay! Okay! Stop! I’ll go!” Screams had erupted around me, a sudden, panicked chaos. I could hear the faint, distant sound of a siren. I could tell the nurse at the front desk had called the police, who would be arriving any second now. I nced back to see two of Niki’s men, who had reached the lobby and were moving forward with their guns raised.


    Damn it. I would have to improvise. “I’ll go with you! Don’t shoot anymore. The police is on the way.” I said. I moved towards him, my mind racing, <b>a </b>thousand thoughts, a panicked jumble. My hands were trembling, but I pulled out my handkerchief, a small, white square of fabric, and moved directly into the line of sight of the two bodyguards that had juste. They frowned, their brows furrowed in confusion, seeing me cover Lazar. But I had no choice. I had to do this. I had to make Lazar trust me.


    “Put your guns down,” I said to the guards, my voice low and firm. They frowned, their eyes on Benjamin, then on me. Very minutely, they pulled their hands down, though notpletely. I sighed, a small sound of relief, and turned to Benjamin, moving forward to his bloodied hand with my handkerchief. The wound wasn’t deep, just a graze, a warning.


    Benjamin looked taken aback, his eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and shock. He looked at me, then at my hand as I wiped the blood off. The warmth of the blood on my fingers was a sickening, visceral feeling. “Get this treated,” I said, my voice low, “I’lle back……” The rest, the most important part, I whispered as low as I could. “The call wasn’t Sergei. I’m the bait.” I pulled back and looked him in the eyes, a silent plea. Please, understand.


    Only when I felt a dull thunk on my head, a sharp, jarring sensation, did I pull back, realizing Lazar had moved forward, his gun aimed at my temple. “No funny business…. sister.” He said, the word ‘sister<i>‘ </i>a cold, disgusting sound that made a shudder of revulsion roll up my back. I heeded his words and backed off, my hands held up in a silent surrender. “Let’s go then?” He questioned, a triumphant smile on his lips, and I nodded.


    Benjamin stayed stuck in ce this time. His line of sight didn’t leave me. His eyes contained one part disbelief<i>, </i>one part fear, and one part understanding.


    It was understandable. What I had told him had only been a hunch… but I had nothing else to go off on. So I had to risk it. I had to bet my life.


    I gave a nce up to the floor where I knew my baby was. I’m sorry, Haider. Mom will try her best… but I truly might not be able toe back. The thought was a sharp, painful ache in my chest. was taking a huge gamble, a gamble that could cost me my life, but I had to. I had to try.


    In the next couple of minutes, we got into the SUV. We pulled out of the parking lot, and he spoke, his eyes on the rearview mirror. “Belt… I’d rather not get fined.” He said, a casual, almost normal sound that felt deeply out of ce in this terrifying reality.


    I scoffed, a bitter, humorless sound. “You’say that as though youck money.”


    “Believe it or not… I do.” He said, a small, wry smile on his lips.


    And I frowned at him. “So… what? You n on taking me and asking for ransom from Sergei?” I questioned, and he stiffened. His head shot to mine, and then the next moment, he startedughing like a maniac, a wild, unhinged sound that was more terrifying than any scream. I watched him, trying to disconnect my emotions, to be a silent observer.


    I had to keep calm.


    “You’ve already realized then?” he smiled.


    I red at him, a silent answer, but inwardly at his deration, I felt a flood of relief, a wave of pure, unadulterated hope. I knew it. Niki would never do such a thing. Yes, he was strong, and he would risk his life for me. But willingly going and giving it up for no reason made no sense. It meant he’d been taken against his will. The relief was a sudden, dizzying rush. He wasn’t a fool.


    “Wow. So intelligent yet utterly stupid. Giving up your life so readily for that voice a low, mocking whisper.


    man… but how noble. Maybe you’re not as bad as I thought?” he said, his


    I scoffed at his words. “Why would I care if you think I’m good or bad?” I spat out..


    “Yes. Of course, you wouldn’t.” Then he started the car back up, the engine purring to life. He had calmed down from hisughing fit now. The next moment, he pulled out the gun and aimed it at my head. “Now that you’ve already realized, how about we skip the niceties? You probably already know what to do next, don’t you?” He questioned, a cold, calcting look in his eyes. I clenched my jaw, my heart a frantic drum against my ribs.


    I didn’t answer. The silence was tense but I just stared straight ahead. “Elena.” He said, his voice sounding like he’d run out of patience.


    I kept silent longer, not ncing at him. But then, slowly, my hand moved. I pulled out the phone from my jacket and handed it to him.


    He smiled, a very cruel one, and threw the phone out the open window. I heard the faint shatter of it as it hit the pavement and I felt a dull throb in my chest. That was the phone Niki had given me.


    He hummed then, a low, tuneless sound. Yesterday… I had left the hospital, questioning if it ever came to it, would I be able to protect Niki?


    Right now, I hadn’t gotten the answer. But I sure as hell knew one thing… that I would try to the very end.


    Because I knew that even though that voice hadn’t been Sergei, I could tell. By the way he hadn’t been coughing. By how he’d referred to me as Elena instead of “Dochenka.”


    However, I also knew that Niki had been real. No one. No <i>one </i>in this world could ever replicate the love in his voice when he spoke to me. Even when he used my name, it always held a note of softness, no matter his emotions<i>. </i>His words, his voice, his desperation. It had been him.