Page 106 of Feral King

“I’m memorizing it.” I say as I take a deep breath. “Dr. Okafor said everything’s on track, and that she wants to see me in three weeks.”

“Good.” He merges onto the FDR and heads south, wipers slashing. “Have you told Julian about the appointment?”

“I texted him from the waiting room.”

“Any response? Sorry to be nosy, but I tried to get in touchwith him while I was in the waiting room. He never responded.”

“Is that normal when he’s in a council meeting?” Just saying the words makes my stomach tighten. He told me it would be fine, that he had it all in order, and when the day was over, he’d be the clear and supported leader of the Bratva.

“They’re usually not on their phones during. But I would think it’d be over by now—a vote to put him in charge, and that’s the end of it.”

Another twinge of fear roils my stomach. It must be obvious, because Misha’s expression softens when he looks over at me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. The length of the meeting varies, but all it takes is one syndicate head to drag it out. I’ve been to a few, and you never know what to expect.”

That calms me, but just a little. The truth is, I’m going to be a wreck until he’s home safe, my head on his shoulder, the ultrasound picture in his hands.

“Anyway,” he says, “I’m sure it’ll?—”

My phone rings, cutting him off. My eyes go wide, and I yank the phone out of my purse, hoping to see Julian’s name.

But I see Sophia’s instead.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Lyra, listen to me.” Her voice sounds weird, like she’s running, her breathing ragged. “Don’t go back to Julian’s penthouse. Don’t?—”

“Soph. Slow down.”

“Something happened at the meeting. Alex called me. It sounded like he was bragging. He said that things are about to change, that Julian’s finished. And then he hung up, and now I can’t reach him. I don’t know what to do, but I think he’s up to something.”

My stomach drops. My hand is trembling as I put Sophia on speakerphone.

“Misha, try Julian again.”

He’s already got his phone out.

“Same as before,” he says. “No service.”

“Soph, what exactly did Alex tell you?”

She takes a breath. “He said Mrs. Lee was handling things and that it was already done.”

Already done. My blood runs cold. Could he…? No. I push the thought out of my head.

“And then, then…”

“Sophia, breathe. You need to tell me anything else he said. Right now.”

“He said he was going to make sure you were taken care of, Ly. I don’t think he meant it nicely.”

Misha and I share a look. I take a slow, deep breath. No stress—that’s what the doctor said. Even if it means staying calm in the face of a potential mob hit.

“I’m on the street in Williamsburg. I didn’t know where togo. I’m scared, Ly. I know you hate me and probably don’t trust me, and I don’t deserve?—”

The line goes dead mid-sentence. I look down at my phone and stare at the screen. No signal. Every single bar is gone.

“Misha.”