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The front of Viktorov Industries is lit up. Garden lights lining flower beds and the manicured lawn. White and blue colored beams streaking up the white stone face of the building. The Viktorov Industries logo is projected on the water flowing from a stone fountain in the middle of the entryway.
People in their finest evening wear are mounting the stairs and making their way inside. Staff hired to work the event hold the doors open, ushering everyone into the warm glow of the lobby.
Sergey drives past all of this and wraps around the back of the building to the loading bay.
A single flickering white light hangs above a large garage door. The rest of the lights in the alley are burnt out. Or, more likely, shot out.
“What’s the matter? You didn’t get an invite to the big party?” I ask. “You have to sneak in the back like a commoner?”
Sergey’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Shut your fucking whore mouth.”
I jolt at the venom in his voice. I’m used to Sergey being the sly, smiling conman. The kind of snake charmer who will shake your hand as he empties your pockets.
But he is rigid now, his expression bleak as his eyes search the dark alley.
It hits me all at once:he’s nervous.
“Are we here to meet someone?” I look out the windshield, seeing monsters in every shadow.
Suddenly, at the end of the alley, a light flickers on and off.
Sergey hits the gas and drives down to the end of the alley. As soon as he stops the car, a door opens.
I’m staring into the black mouth of the door, trying to make out anything about what’s beyond it. About what is waiting for me.
Then I feel a gun pressed to my spine. “Get out and walk to that door. If you run, I’ll shoot.”
I hold up my hands on instinct. They tremble in the air. “Do you really need a gun to handle me, Sergey? I thought you were tougher than this.”
“The plan is delicate now,” he admits, his voice low. “I can’t have you fucking it up. Now, move.”
I’m barefoot and wearing nothing but a t-shirt. I won’t make it far like this. Running isn’t an option.
So I climb out of the car and walk towards the door. I hear Sergey moving behind me, his footsteps careful as he matches my pace.
“Who turned on the light? It flickered. Someone told you where to go. Who was it?”
“Shut up and keep moving,” Sergey barks. “We don’t have time for your—”
“Hello again, Piper.” The man in front of me is doused in shadow, but I don’t need to see his face to recognize his voice.
Kreshnik.
I try to scramble back, but Sergey’s damned gun jabs into my spine. “I thought we were going to make the reveal once she was inside… and gagged.”
Kreshnik Xhuvani smiles at me, a sick kind of amusement in his gaze. “I just couldn’t wait. There’s something about this one, isn’t there?” He reaches out and strokes my cheek. “I like to see her scared.”
“If we don’t move quickly, lots of people are going toseeher. This plan doesn’t work if he—”
“This plan is going to work perfectly because I’m the one executing it,” Kreshnik snaps. “You came to me, Sergey, remember? Trust that I know what I’m doing.”
I turn back to Sergey, doing my best to ignore the gun aimed at me. “Be a good dog, Sergey. Do what Master says.”
Sergey’s face turns beet red. He raises his free hand like he’s going to slap me, but Kreshnik claps his hands together loudly. The sound echoes down the alley.
“Save it for our audience, Sergey.”
“What audience?” I ask.
