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The yard was unkempt and wild. Weeds roped along the back fence. The concrete slab patio was cracked and growing moss.
“Over the back fence,” Pavel said. “Hurry the fuck up. She can climb, right? She better be able to climb.”
“You first,” I said. “Make sure she doesn’t run on the other side.”
Pavel grunted, annoyed. He took a running start and leapt like a tiger. He hit halfway up the wood fence, scrambled for purchase, then grabbed the top and threw himself over.
“I can’t jump that,” Robin said.
I pushed her forward. “I bet you can if you tried.”
“No, really,” she said. “I can’t. I just—”
I grabbed her by the hips. “Ready?”
“What are you—”
I lifted her up and threw her toward the top. She let out an undignified yelp but she caught the top and held on. I boosted up her feet and she managed to scramble over.
I heard her land in a heap on the far side.
I had an easier time getting over. I was a little over six foot two, so I only needed to hop a bit to grab the top. I pulled and threw myself over.
Pavel stood with his arms crossed in the tight alley behind the fence. Robin wiped mud off her jeans and glared at me.
“Come on,” Pavel said and strode toward the far end of the alley.
I nudged Robin and she followed. I brought up the rear. Weeds grew at the edges. Mud covered the center. Empty chip bags, soda cans, and hypodermic needles littered the ground.
“Shitty neighborhood for the son of the Russian Don to live in,” I said.
“They didn’t get along,” Robin said.
“Yeah? Why not?”
She didn’t respond. Pavel glared back at me and I rolled my eyes.
Everyone was so fucking dramatic.
We reached the end of the alley and stepped out onto the sidewalk. I saw Robin look both ways and for a half second, something glinted in her eye. A car rolled past, its headlights on high, and I wondered if she’d go for it. I didn’t think she was that stupid, or that brave, but—
She bolted. Fucking hell. She went right for the street, her hands up, her mouth open to scream.
She made it two steps. Two whole steps before I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back to me as hard as I could. She spun around and stumbled then slammed into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her like a boyfriend hugging his girlfriend and the scream she’d been saving up for that car came tearing from her throat.
I stifled it by pressing my lips against hers.
She struggled. Can’t blame her. It wasn’t a good kiss. Too much teeth, and also she was screaming, so that was a bummer.
But I held her tight. After about five seconds of horrible face-mashing, she calmed down, and I pulled back but didn’t let her go.
“You done?” I asked.
“You kissed me.” She stared at me, mouth hanging open.
I still had her taste on my lips. Bubblegum and lilacs. It was surprisingly good.
“Had to make it look real.”
“Are you two fucking done?” Pavel asked. “If she runs again, I’m killing her.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Hear that, darling?”
“Let me go, you fucking prick.”
“You gonna run?”
“No.” She stared into my eyes. She didn’t look angry, which surprised me. I thought she’d be livid after I just crammed my tongue into her mouth.
“Good.” I released her arm. She stayed standing close to me for another second before turning away.
“Come on, idiots,” Pavel said.
He stormed along the sidewalk and I made a little gesture at Robin. She finally glared at me then followed him. The car reached the stop sign at the end of the block, turned right, and disappeared.
Our car was parked on the next block over. It was a junker, a black sedan with rust all over the bottom, barely more than four wheels and an engine. Robin got in the back with me and Pavel got behind the wheel.
“God, I hate this car,” Pavel said. “Always smells like feet.”
“Does not. And it works, so what’s your problem?”
He glanced at me. “You’ve got money. I don’t know why you drive this thing.”
“It works,” I said again.
“It does smell like feet.” Robin made a face.
I grunted. “Okay, fine, it smells like feet. Not sure why, though.” I sniffed around. “Probably this fabric. I got a good price on it.”
Pavel grumbled and pulled out of the spot. Robin stared out the window and I could see the gears turning. She was wondering when she could jump out of the car and make a break for it. Probably looking for a cop car. If she hopped out close enough to one, we wouldn’t be able to run after her or kill her.
I leaned over and pushed down the lock. “I wouldn’t if I were you,” I said.
She stared at me. “What?”
