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I tried to come up with a good lie that would stop her from asking unnecessary questions I had no desire to answer. “I got offered a job overseas, and I’m taking it.”
Tiana beamed with happiness. “That’s great! When do you leave?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure exactly when, but soon.”
Sadness overtook her features. She tried to hide it with a wide grin, but her eyes told me everything. Tiana was a very sensitive person, and the implication of my leaving hadn’t hit her immediately.
“You don’t plan on coming back, do you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Not for the foreseeable future, no. But I don’t know what will happen in a year or two.”
That was a lie. New York had become a home to me, but it was time to let it go and find that home elsewhere. Perhaps it was because I hated how it felt like being caged all over again, despite it being an enormous city.
Tiana laughed. “Well then. I’ll be here when you decide to come back.”
I spent another hour with her. I allowed her to talk about things that were of no interest to me. I was never going to see her again, so I let her have the moment she desperately needed. I was the only friend she had, and although I didn’t care if I had friends or not, that was very important to her.
The moment I was back in my car, a strange feeling washed over me again. It took me a moment to realize it was excitement. The mere thought of being out of this place soon was bringing me nothing but happiness.
My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my daydream. Slowly, still watching the road, I picked it up from the passenger’s seat. My brows narrowed. It was a voice message that was way too long. The number was unknown, and suddenly, realization hit me.
It had been four days since Brianne’s death—since she’d sent those messages from her phone. However, I’d never expected one of them would be for me.
Without a second thought, I connected the phone to the car speakers and brought the volume up.
“I know you must be surprised that you’re hearing my voice, since you were the one who killed me.” Nothing but bitterness laced her tone. “And make no mistake, I’m not telling you any of this because I actually give a shit about you.” She chuckled.
My hands gripped the steering wheel as I continued to listen.
“I’m just sad I won’t be around to witness your fit of rage once I’m done with this message.”
I rolled my eyes and murmured, “Get on with it.”
“You see, I found that precious little file in your safe. And I wasn’t going to use it, because it really wasn’t any of my business, but why not? As far as to why I’ve sent this message to you… well, you’d be surprised to find out some things about the man you’re sharing a bed with.”
I took a deep breath, disliking where this was heading.
“But I’m also furious. My father didn’t deserve to be gutted, to die. He might’ve been a bad guy towards others, but he was the best father in the world, something you’d never understand.”
I was pissed that she’d managed to disturb my peace despite being dead.
“You see, Bogdan, your father, wanted to hire my dad to track you down and follow you. Of course, that wouldn’t exactly be easy because you’re observant. So when my dad rejected that, Bogdan offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse—five million dollars for your head.”
I laughed. That was impossible. An assassin had tried once and failed. I had the bullet wound as proof.
“He agreed but only if he had professional help. Of course, your father told him absolutely not, and eventually, Bogdan got to him and gutted him. Well, I’m assuming one of his men did that. But you want to know what the best part of all this was?”
Her loud laugh made me wince. It hurt my ears.
“The man who was later hired to kill you—and accepted for five million dollars—was Davorin.”
It was as if everything stopped. As soon as his name left her lips, I froze. Nothing could’ve prepared me for that, and nothing could’ve prevented my reaction.
“Ironic, isn’t it? How you never saw that coming, considering…” She paused, and I knew what she meant.
“Oh, also, you probably should know this by now, but the assassin who tried to kill you in Russia? Also Davorin.”
I took a sharp intake of breath.
