Hazel screamed, her voice echoing through the room in agony.
And just then—the door burst open.
Chris was shoved violently aside.
Hazel's sobs broke into shuddering gasps when she saw who had barged in.
Vladimir.
She ran into his arms, clutching his jacket as if it were her lifeline.
Scared...
She was so scared.
Vladimir held her close, his hand moving gently through her hair, the other rubbing soothing circles along her back.
"It's okay," he murmured softly. "You're safe now."
Her sobs continued as she buried her face deeper in his chest, trembling.
Vladimir stared at her bloody wrist, his gaze darkened as he looked toward Chris, who struggled to rise, groaning as he clutched his bleeding eye.
He hadn't known why, but something had drawn him here—a deep instinctive pull in his chest.
Now, he understood why.
"Bastard," Vladimir hissed, pulling Hazel gently away.
"Let go now, love. Stay here and close your eyes for me, okay? I'll be right back."
