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Kelsey starts to tell us the inner workings of the three Bratvas—where they store weapons, where they’re getting the men, and where they plan to hit next. Key information that would’ve justified the trip. But Kenney Grant’s name confirms my very first suspicion.
It’s always been about Paige.
I interrupt him. “You know if you run, they’ll come after you.”
He nods. “But I know that your Bratva will win. And if you win, I’ll be safe. If not, I’m a dead man anyway.”
Dmitri raises his glass. “To a quick death.” He downs the rest. “And may our enemies live long and suffer.”
Kelsey rows us back to shore and holds out his hand. I shake it before I disembark. Dmitri and I stand on the shore, and in the distance, the dawn pries apart the sky with rosy fingers. Suddenly, the stillness is broken by a low rumble, barely audible at first but gradually growing louder. The boat glides out of the bay into the river. He’ll make it if they’ve forgotten him.
The grassy shore smells of fresh mud, and the dampness in the air clings to my clothes. It reminds me of something I will always try to forget. “Let’s get out of here, Dima.”
My phone lights up as soon as the Rover reaches the highway. It’s almost 8:00 a.m., and the rest of the world is up and moving. I’ll go home, change into my suit, and head for the hospital to bring Paige home.
“She isn’t in the room. She didn’t check out.” Viktor’s voice speaks into his phone, barely above a whisper as soon as I press answer. “But I have a lead.”
Dmitri and I listen over the speaker in the car. “What’s the lead?” asks Dmitri.
“Flowers from Winston’s,” he replies. “They were purchased using Talia’s account. Also, the guard in the parking lot said he saw a blue Lamborghini parked there early this morning.”
***
Dmitri races toward Twin Rivers and passes it by, heading to the working-class section of town.
Talia knows I can track my own car. Another trick, another trap. I should’ve known Talia had Igor dancing on a string tied to her finger. Igor was right. He wouldn’t have played all these games with me. He would’ve set an appointment, we would’ve met, and only one of us would’ve walked away.
Why did I think Paige would listen to me? She fooled me. Again.
I thought she was too shaken to do anything foolish. Slowly the blame turns into rage. Not against her but against those who will hurt her if I don’t stop them.
Chapter 4
Paige
Valeri and I are so close together inside the small interior of the car that I have a twinge of concern. I’m wondering what Andrei will do if he sees us like this. I try not to tremble. But what does it matter what Andrei thinks? He’s off somewhere defending the Bratva, so I can do as I please. I soothe my nerves with false bravado as Valeri takes another curve too fast.
Besides, I’m here to accomplish what really matters. I have to take advantage of any opportunity I get to save Emma.
Valeri glances over at me and smiles. The man is completely aware of his own handsomeness as the wind blows his shiny hair in his eyes. His player charms don’t affect me the way they fool Talia. His moves are deliberate and calculated to full effect on gullible women.
Andrei mocks Valeri for being a pale imitation. A lite version of himself that Talia can boss around and drag behind her as if he’s on a lead.
Maybe I would’ve been impressed with Valeri if I had met him first. But Andrei is a man who should never be underestimated. Something Talia and Valeri haven’t learned yet.
After a twenty-minute ride in circles, Valeri stops the car in front of my father’s house. I look over at him.
“Is this a bad joke?” I ask incredulously. All the way back to the horrible beginning.
He chuckles, shutting off the car. “You’re talking to me again?”
“Oh, was that a conversation we were having in the car?” I reply tartly. “I thought you liked the sound of your own voice, so I didn’t interrupt.”
He takes me firmly by the elbow and pulls me toward him. “Do you know why she hates you?”
“When you say she, do you meanTalia?”
“Of course I do.” He tugs me closer until our bodies touch. “She hates you because you’re determined. She didn’t expect you to last this long. You would be a match for her if you didn’t care about him so much. So, why do you?”
