“Yeah, it’s Vesenina.”
“Your girl’s gone.”
My heartbeat falters. I change lanes, anticipating that I’ll need to turn back.
“What do you mean gone? You said you would protect her.”
“Yeah, I said I’d protect her. I didn’t say I’d keep her prisoner. She left on an outbound bus about forty minutes ago.”
For fuck’s sake, Natalia.I shake my head. Then I remind myself grimly that Stroviak has informants all over Coynston. He’ll have found out things.
“Where did she go?”
“She’s headed west. Her ticket will take her as far as the Midwest. Columbus, Ohio.”
Natalia won’t stop there. If I know her, she’ll get off the bus she’s on somewhere along the way and get another ticket. And if she disappears, I might not find her for months. Or longer. That thought makes adrenaline rush into my veins. I am not losing her.
Another terrible thought comes crashing down. Egorov has deep pockets too and pays well for information. It was no accident that he found Natalia in Russia before anyone else could. If Egorov finds out she’s alone on some bus, his men could grab her along the way and make her disappear forever.
“I need you to send someone after the bus.”
Stroviak’s silent.
“Helping me now will be a good business decision.”
“Try again. You don’t bring enough to the table for this to be worth my time.”
“My situation’s changed. I’ll have more to offer than you think. Also, do it as a favor because I’m your brother.”
There’s a beat. “Don’t play that card lightly.”
Letting the silence go on for a moment so he knows I’m actually serious, I wait. Then I say, “I’m not.”
“I can expect loyalty from you?”
“Yes.”
“Come back to Coynston. I want to hear about how your situation’s changed.”
“I need to get Natalia back first. Text me her bus’s route.”
“You’re what, three hours away? Four?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“My crue is closer. Come to Coins. She’ll be here by then.”
“If she’s cornered, she might fight.No onehurts her. I don’t care what she does.”
“I understand what she means to you.”
“You do?” I say, surprised.
“Of course.” He clears his throat, then adds, “We share the same face, brother, and I’ve seen you look at her.”
There’s nothing to say to that. I’ve had the same thought about him when he looks at his wife.
“If you’re going to call her or text her, do it now,” Stroviak says. “Then don’t talk or text again until you’re here.”
