ELENA'S POINT OF VIEW
"Now get her up."
Before I could react, rough hands grabbed my arms. One of the armed men yanked me to my feet so violently I cried out. Pain shot through my shoulders as he twisted my arm behind my back.
"Let her go!" Alex's voice was raw, desperate. He started toward us.
"Elena!" My mother screamed.
"Stop! Don't touch her!" Alex was moving fast now, his hands reaching for me.
The second armed man stepped forward and swung his gun. The butt of it connected with the side of Alex's head with a sickening crack. Alex stumbled sideways, his hand going to his temple. When he pulled it away, blood ran down his face, dark and terrible.
"Alex!" I tried to pull away from the man holding me, but his grip only tightened.
Alex shook his head, trying to clear it. Blood dripped onto his shirt. But he didn't stop. He lunged forward again, reaching for me with determination in his eyes that bordered on madness.
"I said let her..."
