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I remember the other women in Raizo’s auction who lent me what little of their own strength they still had. I wonder where they are. If they’ll ever see their homes again.
I can be them for her. Just as in those few short minutes with them, I can give her the same support in whatever few short minutes we have now.
The shouting continues, but the gunfire stops.
Now, the shouting is… in Russian.
Demyen.
“Clara?”
It’s his voice while not being his voice. It takes me a moment to realize that’s Tolya calling for me.
“Clara?” His voice draws closer. “Eva?”
Eva knows better than to shout and give away our hiding spot. Even though I recognize his voice, I don’t trust the situation. I can’t. Not after everything.
Tolya steps into the light at the end of the narrow gap between the containers. “Eva?”
She nods to me. I nod back. We tiptoe forward, and my free hand grips hers to give her reassurance as much as to receive it. I don’t think Tolya would turn his back on Demyen, but I don’t know what could turn a man recently freed from prison.
When it comes to the Zakrevskys, I never know if they’re friends or enemies with Raizo Watanabe.
Or, for that matter, with me.
The moment the light of the depot spills across our faces, Tolya breathes out a heavy sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God. You scared the shit out of me!”
I peer around his broad shoulders. To my immense relief, what’s left of the Yakuza are being corralled into one group and shoved down to their knees by Demyen’s men. I recognize the faces of his Bratva, from hisvorsto the new recruits he’s been training these past few weeks, glaring at their new captives from behind weapons poised and ready for any wrong movements.
“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
The sudden softness in Tolya’s voice pulls my attention to a sight I do not expect to see: his fingers gently caressing the sides of Eva’s face, turning her this way and that to check for any wounds.
She shivers and shakes her head. “No.” She glances over at me. “Clara kept me safe.”
I give them both a tight smile. This feels like a victory, but we’re not out of the woods yet. I don’t think I’ll feel that way until I’m home with Willow in my arms and Demyen sound asleep beside me.
“We’re rounding up the first group for the safehouse,” Mako explains as he approaches us, motioning behind him with his thumb. “I’ve got Yuri loading up Group B for the backroads just in case there are any stragglers who didn’t get the message.”
“I’ll go with them.” It’s easy for me to volunteer to help these women settle in somewhere safe for the night. I remember what it was like to be scared, alone, confused, not knowing where we were going or why we were being herded like cattle. “I can help.”
Mako looks uncomfortable while still managing a tiny smile. “I know you can. Trust me, you’d be the best one to lead them. But he’ll kill me if I let you vanish without notice.”
I didn’t think about that. I blush and lower my gaze with a nod. “Right. Sorry.”
“You could help Eva.” Tolya nudges her closer to me and nods at one of the Rezvanis parked nearby. “Take her to my car and get her settled in. We’ll meet up at the compound.”
I don’t ask him what he’s doing. Neither does Eva. She just ducks her head and follows me, stealing a glance behind her at Tolya. He immediately turns his attention back to the gathered Yakuza and Pavel, who looks like he’s flipping through his phone for something.
Eva and I walk from pavement to gravel in silence. I set the safety on my gun and tuck it into the waistband of my jeans.
I guess this is my life now. I’m not…hatingit?
Definitely will take some getting used to, though.
“Is he good?” Eva glances behind her again.
I smile. Surprisingly, I don’t actually have to think about my answer. “He’s good. One of the best.”
