AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Pulling my hands from my pockets, I breath on them to warm them up. The clouds overhead split enough to create a few beams of sunlight. One of them dances on the silver ring wrapped around my finger.
I stare at it hard, like it's the first time I've seen it. Holding my hand high with my fingers spread, I frown at the memory of that day. If I hadn't forced her to marry me... Yevgeniy might have left her alone.
My phone buzzes to life. Ripping it out, I press it to my ear. "Hello?" I ask eagerly.
"It's me," Josh says.
I don't bother to keep my voice calm. "What is it?"
"It's done, just like you wanted. The police are backing off for now."
My pulse rockets higher. "You're sure?"
"The current task force the commissioner put together to hunt you down is temporarily suspended."
"That’s good."
"Don't get too excited. It's only temporary. They’re looking for any and all reasons to get it back up and running in full capacity."
"You couldn't convince them I'm not the problem?"
"It's hard to make a case for you when I'm still not sure what to believe. I’ve staked a lot of my own reputation for you, Isakov."
"Fuck your reputation. Your life is on the line," I remind him. "Yevgeniy wants you dead just as much as he wants that for me."
"So you say."
"You'll thank me when this is over."
"I doubt that very much. But it’s not like I’ve got much of a choice at this point. What are you going to do?"
I start walking across the ice, my strides as quick as I can risk without slipping. "I'm ending this tonight. But since we’re erring on the side of caution, keep the cops off my back for forty-eight hours."
Without another word, I hang up and start running.
The geese see me and begin to cry out in alarm in the crisp cold air. I watch as they launch themselves back into the sky, wings flapping against the canvas of golden clouds above.
Scaring off the peaceful animals wasn't intentional.
I wish I could have watched them a while longer.
"Arsen?" Mila asks when I burst through the front door. She was reclining on the large couch... the place Galina took a nap our first night here.
"We're leaving," I say, moving towards the kitchen table. I unzip the black bag I'd set there earlier, checking the contents.
"Kuda?"
Lifting out a rifle, I make sure it's loaded. "Back home." Assuming nobody gets in the way. But if they try... I chamber the gun, put it back in the bag, and sling it over my shoulder.
Mila jumps off the couch, rounding on me with her eyes wide in shock. "That son of a bitch actually did it?"
“I’m as shocked as you are, Mila.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“We need as many men as possible. Organize everyone, and tell them to meet me at the mansion, then call Kos—" I stop short. For a moment, I'd forgotten he was dead.
Mila watches me closely. I lift my head higher, trying to keep my voice as flat and emotionless as possible. "Call Maxim and have him collect men across the city. We’re ending this today. Do or die."
