Page 159 of Pink

And shit, did it ever.

It took Lev a second to discern the figure being directed through a crowd of flashing lights and shouting people. He read the name on the building behind her—the hospital—and recognized the Marcello enforcer with his hand at her back and fist in the face of anyone who dared step within an inch of Gigi.

“Gigi,” shouted one photog, “give us a statement!”

“Do you have anything to say about the arrest of Lev Arsov in connection to your disappearance and—”

Another guy jumped ahead of the last, asking, “Gigi, is it true you’ve refused to speak to police about what happened in Mexico?”

Finally, she stopped.

Head up.

Eyes clear.

Face healed.

Lev breathed a bit easier, finding the strength and conviction Gigi held in her gaze as she looked right at the cameras and reporters. “Lev didn’t hurt me. He’s never hurt me, and he shouldn’t be in jail. He should be with me—he should be at home with his child. If all the police want to hear from me is the story they want me to tell, then they’re going to wait a long time for it. If you want a real story, start looking into the agents selling their models to the highest bidders. At least that’s got some truth to it.”

Then, Gigi looked right into one of the cameras, saying, “Right, Marla?”

The video cut off.

Andino tipped his chin up, his smile not at all condescending but also still pleased. “Public opinion always counts, and everyone loves a good old American darling, don’t they? She certainly knows how to play the part. If they get nothing from her, you’re not saying shit, there’s nothing left in Mexico to tie you to Jensen, then at most you’re looking at the earlier charge and leaving American soil if they can make that one stick. It’s a waiting game, Pink. We’re waiting.”

His heart ached.

“Don’t put her on a stage right now, Andino,” Lev said. “Don’t do that to her. She’s been through enough.”

Didn’t she deserve time?

Privacy?

She needed to heal.

She needed … him.

“I did nothing, Pink. This one’s all on her. Shit, who do you think called in the reporters to tip them off on the time when she was released from the hospital today? Looks like your woman knows how to play the game. If she’s going to do the work, who are we stop her? The rest of us need to get in line. Including you.”