Page 176 of Barinov

“I’ll explain later,” he answers. “You see that pillar up to your left?”

I look over my shoulder. “There are tons of fucking pillars to my left.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters. “The closest one. The one with the tiny ledge in front of it?”

“Yeah.”

“Get there in three… two… now!”

I shove off the ground and sprint to the pillar, dust kicking up as I slide down behind it. “Made it.”

“I know. I can see you.”

“What?” I ask, breathing heavy. “You’re here?”

“No. And before you ask, neither is he. We’re watching via satellites and shit like that but it doesn’t matter. Look, he’s about twenty yards to your right, lurking between two columns.”

“Who is he?”

“I can’t say.”

“Why not?” I swallow. “Is Luca listening to you?”

“No, he’s in his ear.”

“Then why can’t you tell me?!”

“Because I just can’t!” Zeke roars, his voice shaking. He releases a heavy sigh. “So pretty please just trust me.”

That damn code word.

“Fine,” I mutter. “What do I do now?”

“You’re going to go on offense before Luca gets bored and blows the collar around your boyfriend’s neck.”

“Where is he now?”

“Moving…” He pauses. “Get ready.”

I tighten my grip on the gun, metal biting into my palm.

“He’s nearly there.”

Dust and rocks shift in the distance, the sound echoing off the pillars.

“What way is he coming from?” I whisper, forcing my breathing to slow.

A pause.

“The hell you mean—” Zeke cuts himself off with a harsh exhale. “I don’t know what my sister sees in you.”

My jaw ticks. “Zeke,” I warn.

“I fucking said he’s twenty yards to your right,” he snaps. “So maybe—just maybe—he’s coming from your FUCKING RIGHT!”

A bullet slams near me, exploding the stone. I duck lower, rock biting into my knees.

“Jesus,” I mutter. “Someone’s cranky.”