𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗲

10- 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁

The silence was deafening. Only the approaching footsteps hitting the cold floor was audible, echoing through their ears.

Natalia and Elias had hidden underneath the bed, holding each other close but they didn't even realise- they were too busy focusing on the voices outside.

Natalia had studied a lot of languages, partly because of some missions and because her mother forced her too, yet one of those languages wasn't Russian. This made her even more anxious, after all, they could already know where they are- then she's as good as dead.

Suddenly, the door came crashing open, making Natalia let out a slight gasp and grabbed onto Elias' hand, squeezing her eyes shut.

Trying to not blow their cover, Elias placed his hand over her mouth, part of him hating the sight of her right now. Distressed, on edge and practically terrified.

Elias knew she wasn't easily scared, so there must be a bigger picture. A reason for her to feel so strongly about the situation they're currently in. But he knew she wouldn't tell him now; he had betrayed her trust.

But did she even trust him in the first place? That was a question Elias longed to know the answer to, but he knew he would never find it out.

Footsteps began circling the room, rummaging through drawers as multiple objects clattered to the floor. Until it stopped, the sound of footsteps ceasing.

"Boss, I've got something" a man voiced, a thick Russian accent in his voice as multiple other people came rushing in.

"Fucking Italians" a man muttered, the sound of tapping against a glass screen being incredibly audible.

Shit. They'd found Elias' phone.

"Tear this city apart until you find them, understood?" A man ordered and the sound of footsteps leaving echoed through the room, the door slamming shut.

Elias and Natalia stayed under the bed for a while, her hand still tightly gripped on his as he brushed his thumb over the back of her trembling hand. Natalia couldn't open her eyes, she'd hoped this was a sick dream retelling the worst night of her life.

But, as she opened her eyes, she was met with the concerned eyes of Elias Romero, stroking her hair soothingly as his green eyes stared into hers, trying to understand her pain in order to help her cope.

Natalia wasn't a readable person, so this proved to fail, yet he still wanted to comfort her. Show her that he doesn't want her to get hurt- both physically and mentally.

He was the only person who could hurt her, anyone else would be dead by his own hands.

Reluctantly, Elias dropped her hand and ceased stroking her hair, about to get up from under the bed to see if they had gone. But, before he could, Natalia grabbed his arm, making him turn to face him.

"Don't go getting yourself killed, Ellie" Natalia spoke, a snarky comment with, for the first time, a hint of sincerity behind it.

As she said that, Natalia grabbed the knife from her side and placed it in Elias' hand, their fingers grazing each other's.

For anyone else, they would see this as a simple exchange, no real meaning behind it. But, Elias knew her- he knew how much this knife meant to her.

Yet, she entrusted it to him, of all people. The simple gesture screaming a million words that they both couldn't bring themselves to say. It was like giving him a piece of herself.

Elias just looked at her, starstruck and shocked at her actions, and a slight smile appeared on his lips- a genuine one.

"Wasn't planning on it, Natty" Elias responded as Natalia smiled slightly, but it was more of a disappointed smile.