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“Since Tim,” Paige replies. “And the wedding.”
“It hasn’t been very long,” Emma notes.
“Sometimes,” I say, “it doesn’t take long for true feelings to manifest into something real.”
Paige turns to look at me; her expression is neutral, but I can feel the surprise in her gesture. The softness in her eyes reaches my heart and fills my chest with warmth. It’s a new feeling. And I stare at Paige for a second too long. The words came unbidden and unexpected. But as I mull over them in my head, I know that they’re the truth.
“Do you want to come inside?” Emma asks. “I’m sure Dad would like to meet you.”
“Not this time,” I answer curtly. “I’ll let you two speak to your father alone. Perhaps you should wait to mention me. Until he’s doing much better.”
Paige nods. “Thank you, Andrei.”
I step back and look at the sorry structure of a house. A gutter has come down, and the rot on the upstairs windowsills is visible from the ground. So, she grew up in this ramshackle mess? I want nothing more than to storm in and demand to know the full story from Gerald. How does he know Sidorenko? Why was he in the Poconos? And if he seems to be so connected to the Bratva, how can he live in such poverty?
When I turn and start down the walkway, I spot a Lexus SUV with no front plates. The SUV backs up clumsily and peels away down a side street.
Fear rises up, cloaking me, and I realize that I just put a target on Emma.
***
I jump into the Rover, and Oleg waits silently for my order. He sees the fleeing SUV too. He grips the steering wheel, but I shake my head. I tap my phone, hearing tires screech. Another of my Rovers is following in pursuit.
“You have a new mission, Oleg.” My voice can barely reach a whisper.
His brow lifts, but he remains silent.
“You saw the girl?” I ask.
“Yes, Andrei Vasilyevich.”
“You are her personal guard now. You will guard Emma Reyes with your life. From a distance if you can, and up close if you have to.”
“A teenager?” he asks, the astonishment leaking into his tone.
“My wife’s sister,” I correct him.
Oleg sighs lightly and looks straight ahead. I know he wants to be out there, not stuck at the mansion. He wants to be praised for bashing in our enemy’s head, not waiting on women. He wants notches on his rifle. But he’s one of the few guards I trust with my wife’s life.
“It’s not a demotion, Oleg. Think of how my wife would feel if she lost both her mother and her sister.”
“What about the father?” he asks.
“Not your concern.”
My phone chimes with a one-word text.Karamazov. I signal to a third Rover, which pulls up behind us. I scan the front door of the house when I get out of the Rover, and for a short second, I debate demanding that Paige and her family come with me right now. Instead, I text Dmitri to send extra men.
It was only a matter of time before Igor found out, and lately, he’s been one step ahead. He knows where I will be, and no one is that good at guessing. Someone must be informing him. I eye the men in the two Rovers. They never touch their phones unless they receive a call—we use a distinct ringtone. They don’t idly scroll through the internet or send texts to girlfriends.
I jump back into the Rover with Oleg. Despite the additional guards, I’m torn about leaving Paige behind, but I refuse to wait for Igor.
I will bring death to him.
Chapter 56
Paige
I can’t conceal my shock when I see my father’s frail form sprawled in a recliner. His papery skin drapes over his bones like a yellowed sheet. His eyes are sunken into a withered face I hardly recognize. Life is slipping out of him with each labored breath. Slowly, he turns away from the television in the living room and focuses on me. I want to cry, but it won’t help him.
