I light a cigarette while the phone rings, wishing I had some vodka handy. My elbow is beginning to throb, protesting its collision with concrete.
“Is it done?” Igor asks.
“Just have to drop the match.”
“How many men?”
“Three.”
He hums. “They were worried.”
“If they weren’t, they will be.”
Igor laughs. “You are my best weapon.”
Aleksandr must not be there.
I hang up, then head inside.
Five minutes later, we leave a bonfire behind.
BLIND ALLEY
Eight Years Earlier
Ialmost scream when the hand closes around my wrist, managing to swallow the scared sound at the last second after I glance left and recognize the profile.
Jeff tugs me into the alley I was about to walk past. I nearly fall, sidestepping a puddle earlier rain left behind, then yank my arm free as soon as I regain my balance. Cross both across my chest and frown at him.
“What are you doing here?”
Chicago is too large of a city for this to be a coincidence.
“I stopped by your dorm to talk to you. Angie said this was where you’d gone.”
Stupid. I should have lied to my roommate. I wasn’t anticipating my ex would stop by.
“What areyoudoing here?” Jeff asks, gesturing toward the brick building I was about to enter.
My crossed arms tighten, hugging my chest. “None of your business. We broke up.”
“You mean, you broke up. I thought things were going great, and all of a sudden, you were done. Too busy with classes?” He scoffs. “This doesn’t look like a library, Carina.”
I close my eyes briefly. “Just go, Jeff. Please.”
He steps forward, the scowl on his face spreading. “You’re dressed like you’re going on a date. Actually, you’re dressed nicer than you were on any of our dates. Are you meeting another guy?”
I glare back. The honest answer—yes—isn’t going to defuse any tension between us.
Jeff must read the truth on my face because his expression darkens. He takes another step closer, grabbing my chin so I can’t look anywhere except straight at him. “I can’t believe?—”
“Let her go.”
The voice isn’t loud. It’s low and accented and menacing. Dangerous, pulsing with a deadly undercurrent that promises harm.
I relax as soon as I hear it.
Jeff tenses, his eyes remaining on mine. “Mind your own business, man.”
