Page 9 of Anton

Something begins to flash behind my closed eyes—faint at first and then stronger, like light pushing through my eyelids from somewhere far away, while I lie there unable to move.

Maybe I’m dying.

It wouldn’t be so bad. I wouldn’t have to deal with Papa anymore. It would be like a vacation. I almost smile at the thought.

“Anton,” a woman whispers.

I jerk, trying to force my eyes open. Her voice comes again, closer this time, and it sounds familiar.

Who is she?

“Anton, vstavay…” Anton, get up.

I try to move, but I can’t. My stupid body won’t listen.

“Ty dolzhen prosnutsya.” You need to wake up.

Her hands… I feel them shaking me, but I can’t see her. Or maybe it’s too dark here.

Am I in hell?

“Anton, are you listening?”

My body won’t move. It’s no use.

“Ty ne mozhesh pozvolit emu pobedit.” You can’t let him win.

But he always wins.

“Anton. Vstavay. Pozhaluysta.” Anton. Get up. Please.

How does she know my name? Who is she?

“Help me…” I call, but it might as well be silent.

My body is broken. I try to reach for her, my fingers trembling while a groan escapes, and pain instantly explodes in my head.

“Wake up!” Her face snaps into view, and my pulse slams in my ears as I jerk upright.

Jolting awake, I don’t know where I am at first until my mind starts to focus.

It felt too real, being back there when it all happened. But I’m not that helpless kid anymore, and every day, I’m grateful for that.

I don’t want to be that person. My work is what matters. Doing the job right, completing it, and moving on to the next. That’s what helps me stay alive and makes this life worth living.

Thora Whitlock. She’s what’s important right now. And once I’m through with her, she’ll be nothing more than another mark I handled.

Heading into the shower, I let the steam wrap around me, clinging to my skin until my eyes close and I see her there smiling, thinking I’m something I’m not.

I saw the hunger in her gaze. I could almost smell it. It’s a shame she has no idea what I’m really after.

And if I play this right, she’ll never know. Not until I have to pull the trigger.

By the time the water runs cold, my mind is already there, at her place, hoping to find something more to help me get to know her just a little better.

CHAPTER FOUR

ANTON