Harper screamed.
She pulled against the ropes, trying desperately to get up, but the chair rocked beneath her and nearly tipped over. She couldn't reach Nolan. She couldn't help him. All she could do was watch as the men surrounded him, their fists and boots moving too quickly for her frightened eyes to follow.
One of them struck Nolan across the cheek. Another seized him from behind, holding him long enough for a third man to drive a punch into his stomach.
Nolan fought back, but the odds were against him.
Harper's breathing became frantic. She could hear the men cursing in Russian, the heavy thud of fists connecting with flesh, and Nolan's strained grunts as he struggled to keep them away. When one of the Russians grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the table, Harper th
