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They scurry along and I start pacing frantically.
Ruslanknows.Why hasn’t he confronted me about it? Why hasn’t he reacted? Is he going to punish me? Trap me? Give me the silent treatment until the baby pops out?
I stop short when the elevator doors open and Kirill walks in. Sothat’swhy the sudden change of location.
Be cool, Emma. Be cool.
“Hey.”
God, I sound stiff.
Kirill raises his eyebrows. “Where are the kids?”
“Just having lunch. The smell of meat makes me want to puke so I’m just staying out of the kitchen ‘til they’re done.”
“Well, I just wanted to tell you to start packing. The car will be here at nine tomorrow morning to take you to the Oryolov Estate.”
I give him a polite nod. “And why are we being moved there?”
His expression is ridiculously convincing. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was all run-of-the-mill stuff happening here.Standard protocol for victims of kidnappings, extortion attempts, and the like.“The kids will have free run of the place. There’s huge gardens and a pool and—”
“This is atrap!”
So much for being cool.
Kirill startles. “Um…”
“Heknows.That’s why he’s moving us.”
He sighs. “Five-year-olds, I assume?”
“You weren’t gonna tell me. You were just gonna give me a bunch of bullshit excuses for why we were moving.”
He shrugs, not even bothering to deny it. “I figured if Reagan hadn’t told you, then—”
“I thought we werefriends.”
“Wearefriends, Emma. But I still have a job to do. Part of that job involves keeping you safe. And this move will accomplish that.”
“Bullshit. He’s never gonna let me out of that place. I’ll be a prisoner for life.”
“Emma—”
“No! Don’t you ‘Emma’ me. I should have known better than to trust you.” I fold my arms over my chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His voice is low and gentle. “I’m afraid this is nonnegotiable.”
I scowl at him helplessly. “He asked me for a month; I gave him a month. That’s all I’m prepared to give.”
“That’s for you and Ruslan to decide together.”
I snort incredulously. “Right. Because Ruslan’s totally the kind of guy who believes in mutual decisions and compromise.”
“I know this is hard—”
“I need to get the kids out of here.”
“You need to keep the kidssafe,” he reminds me. “And staying with Ruslan is the easiest way to ensure their safety. You know that. I know you know that.”
