Tears stream down her face. "I promise."
"Good." I turn back to Harrison. "And Anya?"
"Released within twenty-four hours of your surrender. You have my word."
"Your word means nothing."
"It's all you've got." Harrison stands, his wound bandaged now. "Decide quickly. Those FBI units outside? They're real. They don't know who to believe, but they follow orders. My orders. One word from me and they storm this place."
Through my earpiece, Rodriguez's confused voice: "What's happening? Orders are to stand down but—"
"It's over," I say, both to Harrison and to everyone listening. "I surrender."
"Excellent choice." Harrison nods to Pavel. "Restrain him."
As Pavel's men zip-tie my hands, I maintain eye contact with Mariana. "Go. Now. Before I change my mind."
"Mikhail—"
"GO!"
She backs away, sobbing. "I love you."
"I love you too. Both of you."
She flees, and I hear Harrison radio the FBI units: "Stand down. We have Ghost in custody. Agent Castillo is a victim, let her pass."
"You won't keep your word," I tell Harrison as they lead me away.
"Probably not," he admits cheerfully. "But for now, let her think she's free. Makes her easier to track."
"If you touch her—"
"You won't be here anymore to do anything about it."
Through the window, I see Mariana's car disappearing into the night. At least she's away. At least she has a chance.
But as they load me into a van, I hear Harrison on his radio: "Team Two, target is heading south on Route 9. Maintain distance but don't lose her."
"You bastard—"
"Did you really think I'd let her go? I can't afford to leave any loose ends."
Chapter twenty
In the Lion's Den
Mariana
I've been driving for three hours, checking my mirrors obsessively, when the gas light comes on.
Shit.
The next exit has one gas station—the kind that looks like it hasn't been renovated since the seventies. Perfect place to get cornered.
My hands shake as I pump gas. Mikhail surrendered himself for me, for our baby. The image of him in zip-ties, being led away by Harrison's men, plays on repeat in my mind.
"Mrs. Kozlov?"
