Chapter 35

His dragon froze within him, as though the beast was holding its breath. Mikhail reached the back door, which was slightly ajar. He leaned in and tried to peer inside, but he couldn't see anything. There was a soft shuffling sound within. A sound he recognized as Piper's. He kicked the door open.

Piper was tied to a chair, a cloth wrapped around her mouth. Conrad stood behind her, a silver blade pressed against her throat. Piper's eyes were bright with fear. He stared at her, willing her to calm, hoping she would trust him.

"Remember, Barinov, you play by my rules, and she is unharmed." Conrad pressed the knife a little deeper into Piper's neck. She flinched, shoving her head back, but she was unable to escape the blade.

"I'm here. The jewels are in my car." He held out the keys, not missing how Conrad's gaze fixed on them.

"Toss me the keys," Conrad demanded.

"Step away from my mate first," Mikhail countered.