“I need to pee. Are you going to watch me do that too?”
Before she can respond, I shut the bathroom door and lock it.
“You have one minute,” she calls out. “I’m timing it.”
I’m already turning on the tap and dialing Gino’s number.
“Hello?”
“The pakhan is here,” I whisper urgently.
A harsh intake of breath. “That explains the watch cars my guys just called me about. How many with him?”
“Four, plus Maksim and Ekaterina. They’re just talking for now, but I don’t know what he’ll do once Nero gives him the information.”
There's a long pause, and I can almost hear the seconds counting down in my head. “Are you there?”
“I’m thinking,” Gino says gruffly. “Did Nero let them in?”
“They got his fingerprints for the biometric lock.”
“Are yours programmed in as well?”
“Yes.” Nero had them added a few weeks ago.
“Can you find a way to open the door for us?”
Knock. Knock. Knock. “Fifteen seconds!” Ekaterina’s voice is muffled by the door.
I could get to the front door from here without passing the living room, but I’ll have to get past Ekaterina first.
“I can try,” I whisper. “How long until you get here?”
“Two minutes. My men are just outside the building. If you get there before they do, just get out of there. Leave the front door cracked open and get into the elevator.”
What is he talking about? “I’m not leaving Nero.”
“Blake—”
“No. I’m not leaving him here alone.”
Gino swears. “Fine. When you get the door open, go to the farthest bathroom, lock the door, and lie down in the tub. Don’t let anyone in unless it’s Nero.”
“Five seconds,” Ekaterina snaps. “If you’re not out here by then, I’m calling the guards!”
Shit. “I’m going.” I hang up, slide the phone back into my pocket, and turn off the tap. “Coming!”
What the hell do I do? How do I get away from her? I need to knock her out somehow.
Oh God, can I?
There’s no time to hesitate. I have to do it if I want to make sure Nero and I get out of this alive.
I grab a metal nail file from the counter and slip it into my pocket, my mind racing. Then I rush to the door.
We lock eyes, the tension between us thick enough to cut.
“I have to pee too,” she says, her voice tight.
