Katya
“Areyou sure another project is a good idea, Mrs. Andriani?” Antonio asks as we wait at the paint department of the home improvement store. “The boss didn’t seem so thrilled with the last one.”
“I’m going with neutral tones this time,” I remind him with a sweet smile that I hope throws him off any suspicions he may have.
I’m desperate to escape his watch. After Enzo left this morning, I discovered that the burner phone from Misha was gone. I instantly went into panic mode, trying to figure out what to do next. If I contact Misha through the phone Enzo gave me, he’ll see it the instant I send a text. Not to mention that Misha would be suspicious that I was reaching out to him through the wrong phone. It would set off alarm bells I can’t afford while he’s holding Svetlana hostage.
I forced down my green smoothie and formulated a plan. I need to find Dmitri. He’s the only other person who might be able to tell me where Svetlana’s being held. Part of me wanted to unload all of it to Enzo, to tell him everything and ask for his help. But the other part of me was afraid of what would happen if I did.
Would he help Svetlana? Would he think I’ve been conspiring with Misha against him? It’s all one big mess, and I have to make sure my stepmother is safe.
But before I can do that, I need to escape Antonio.
Enter a trip to the home improvement store.
The helpful woman behind the desk is busy mixing up the paint I requested while we wait. Now’s the time to put my plan into motion.
I place a hand on Antonio’s arm. “You know what? I think I overdid it with my morning hydration. I’m going to run to the bathroom while you wait for the paint.”
He’s a hulking figure who intimidates almost everyone who looks in his direction, and he’s frowning down at me now. “I’ll come with you and wait.”
That’s what I was afraid of, that Enzo’s told him to keep me in his sight at all times.
“But who will get the paint when it’s done?” I pat his arm. “I’ll just be a minute.”
He looks undecided, so I lower my voice and lean in. “Besides, won’t it look a little odd for you to be guarding the restroom door like a creeper?”
His brows collide. “I’m not a creeper.”
“Iknow that, but everyone else…” I shrug.
His eyes narrow. “Fine. I’ll wait for the paint. But don’t take too long. The boss won’t like it.”
“I’m pretty sure he’ll be okay with me navigating my way to the public bathroom on my own.” I smile again. “Be right back.”
Then I turn away and head off down the aisle in the direction of the restroom area. It’s almost too easy. My heart starts pounding fast as I reach the end of the aisle and make a right by the selection of plumbing supplies. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Antonio watching me from where he stands, leaning up against the paint desk.
The second I’m out of his view, I pick up my pace and head directly to the exit. I know the car is circling the block for us, waiting for Antonio’s call. The chance of the driver seeing me exit is small but not nonexistent. But I make it onto the busy street and melt into the crowd, no black Lincoln in sight.
I don’t have a lot of time before Antonio realizes I’ve ditched him, so I start power walking to the nearest subway entrance. While Enzo took my phone, he didn’t confiscate my personal credit card. Thank God I’m able to tap at the turnstiles. There’s a possibility he is tracking my financials and will be able to find me, but I’ll be on a train speeding out of here before he can do it.
I make it through with perfect timing. A train is coming in, and it’s the one I need. For once, luck is on my side. I keep a close watch around me as I wait to board. No sign of Antonio yet. Just when I’m about to get on, I see him striding through the crowd.My adrenaline spikes, and I apologize as I push past a group of commuters to get onto the train before he sees me.
I’m in.
Thank God.
Antonio’s long strides are bringing him closer. I even find a seat, thanks to it no longer being rush hour. While I hold my breath, more people pile into the car. Finally, the door closes, and the train jolts into motion. Antonio never spotted me.
But how did he find me that quickly?
Shit.The phone Enzo gave me. I fish it out of my purse and instantly go to my privacy settings to turn off the location services. Then I turn the phone off. I’m going dark until I can figure this mess out.
I can’t be sure where to find Dmitri, but I do know he’s recently been keeping an office at a newly opened private sex club the Bratva owns, a place called Silk. It’s going to be my first stop. Keeping my head down, I try to formulate a plan as the subway car glides on. I’m going to have to persuade Dmitri to take my side and help me find Svetlana if he doesn’t already know where Misha’s keeping her.
Guilt tightens my chest as I think of how furious Enzo will be when he finds out I’ve given Antonio the slip and turned off my phone. He’s probably going to assume the worst. I just hope he’ll be able to forgive me and that all the risks I’m taking will be worth it to get Svetlana to safety in the end.
Scorpion
