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I can only stare. Dimitri Antonov isagreeingwith me?
I rise slowly, keeping my eyes cast to the floor. Dimitri’s close.Reallyclose. I could wrap my hands around his throat if I wanted to, but… I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m overwhelmed by the scent of his cologne, oddly hypnotized by his presence. His strength and confidence roll off him in waves. It’s all I can do not to be dragged under by it.
“That was impressive,” he says.
I shrug. He’s the last person on Earth I want to answer willingly. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Yes, it is.”
Dimitri speaks so sincerely it’s hard not to look him in the eye. My cheeks heat beneath his undivided attention, my own dedicated spotlight. I can’t stand it. Is thatappreciationI see in this killer’s eyes? Whatever it is, I need it to stop. Before I make the mistake of thinking of him as anything but a monster. It’ll only make taking him out that much harder.
“I should probably go.”
“Wait, I still have questions—”
I try to walk past him, but he takes my hand. I freeze, overwhelmed by the fragility of it. His hand is almost twice the size of mine, easily enveloping my palm and fingers. My heart stutters. I wasn’t expecting such tenderness, such care. I’ve spent the last year building Dimitri up as a demon—hideous and violent and unforgivable. But this one simple action plants a seed of doubt in my mind. Could I have been wrong? Or is this just a mask he puts on to lure in unsuspecting victims. Why is he sosweet?
I pull away. “Make sure he drinks the whole glass of water,” I say before promptly turning on my heels to leave. “Thank you for the interview.”
I can’t be here anymore. It was easier when Dimitri was just an idea in my head, a vile beast I could pin a target on. Now I’ve seen his face up close and personal—twice—and I’m suddenly reminded that he is another human being I’m thinking of killing.
The Hippocratic oath screams loudly in my ear.
My hands are supposed to save lives, not take them. Putting a face to the name only makes it worse. A sick father in his care, a baby still in diapers, a kind old lady under his employ…
He has a family, one I’d be taking him away from.
Maybe I can’t do this after all.
Chapter 6
Natalya
Edvard calls me, just like I knew he would. I’m sure he’s eager for an update. Too bad I can’t give him the good news.
“Is it done?” he asks the moment I pick up.
I chew on the inside of my cheek. “No.”
The long pause that follows makes me shift uncomfortably. I can practicallyfeelEdvard’s disappointment. Believe me, it’s mutual.
“I found out he has a son,” I say by way of an excuse. My voice is weak and thin. “Did you know?”
“Of course not. This is new information to me.”
“Had I known, I—”
“What, Natalya? If you’d known,what?”
“There’s just a lot to think about, okay?”
“You were the one who said you wanted revenge at all costs.”
My heart twists painfully. I don’t appreciate having my words thrown back at me. I barely recognize myself. I’m not cut out for this whole eye for an eye thing. I’m spiraling. The more I think about that little boy, the more my throat closes up. He was just so cute andinnocent.
Edvard sighs. “Natalya.”
“Don’tNatalyame. Dimitri Antonov has achild! If I go through with this, how am I any better?”
