Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Thanks for explaining my own feelings.”
“Anytime. It’s what I’m here for.” He finishes his drink and heads to the door. “I’ve got a ton of guys out asking questions. If there’s anything to be found about Molchanie, we’ll find it.”
“I appreciate how hard you’re working on this, even if you are being annoying.”
He nods and leaves. I sit alone in the apartment, glaring at the window, trying to work this puzzle out in my head. But every time I think back on that conversation I had with Molchanie, it’s clear that I’m missing a key piece of information.
Like why she cares about Alina.
If we can figure that out, we might be able to find a way to cut a deal with the killer.
And if not? Maybe we can use it against her.
But that’s the central mystery. Who would care about Alina enough to murder strangers? And why does it seem like Molchanie specifically wants me to stay away?
Nothing’s connecting in my head. I’m distracted for a while, trying to make sense of what’s happening, but I’ve never been a thinker. There’s a reason I was assigned to the streets.
I’m a man of action.
I like to do. I don’t like to wonder. Now it feels like everything’s mixed up and I don’t know how to straighten it out again.
I’m not paying attention when the door opens and my wife comes home. I look over at the sound of her bag hitting the table and find her giving me a smarmy little smile.
“What have you been up to all day?” She comes over and plops down on the couch right next to me. Our legs touch, and I like that. She’s comfortable with me now. It’s amazing how fast things changed.
“Working like always.”
“Looks like you’ve been working hard.” She leans back, grinning.
“You seem like you’re in a good mood.”
“I wouldn’t say that. Just been working too.”
“Yeah? On what?”
She puts a hand on my knee. “I spoke with my family about Molchanie.”
I don’t say anything before pulling away. I stand and pace across the room. Her expression falls as I struggle to keep myself under control.
“That was a bad idea,” I say finally, staring at her. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that my family runs a Russian bratva and Molchanie is a Russian killer. There’s probably a connection. And Seamus, there definitely is.” She pushes herself to her feet. “My dad wouldn’t admit it, but he knows more about her than he let on. Taras says he’s been weird ever since Molchanie came to town.”
“You think they’re involved?” I can picture all the dark ramifications of that. It’ll be an outright war. My family could never forgive the Morozovs if they had anything to do with the killings.
She shakes her head. “Not directly. Not like that. It wouldn’t make sense, right? Papa’s making too much money with this alliance and he’s the one that wanted me to marry you.”
“That’s a good point.” I lean a hand against a window and take a deep breath. “But you still shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why? We need to figure out who Molchanie is and what she wants.”
“She’ll know you’re asking around about her. That’s dangerous, Alina.”
“But we can’t wait. There’s barely any time left.” She comes toward me, hands out, palms up. “I know what you’re going to say, but hear me out first. I think I need to talk to Molchanie.”
“Absolutely not.” The idea horrifies me. I still don’t know what Molchanie wants or whether Alina’s really safe with her or not.
“This is about me, right? I don’t know why, but I’m important to her. If I can just talk to her, explain that I’m not unhappy, that I don’t want to divorce you—”
My heart swells and breaks at the same time. I like that she wants to stay with me, but I hate the thought of letting her get anywhere near the assassin. “I can’t let you. It just can’t happen.”
“You’d rather I stay hidden away in here while everyone else risks their lives for me?”
“That sounds good.”
“No, it doesn’t. It sounds awful. I know I can be a pain in the ass. I know I’m difficult to live with sometimes. But I am absolutely not the kind of person who lets everyone else fight her battles.”
“Listen to me.” I step forward quickly, pulling her and turning her around until her back is flat against the large window. The city spreads out behind her. The sun’s setting, sending long rays across the living room. “You are too important to risk. Do you hear me? There’s no way in hell I’m letting you go anywhere near Molchanie.”
“You don’t get to make that decision.”
I take her wrists and pin them above her head. Her pretty lips part and she lets out a soft gasp. “Yes, I do.”