Not yet.
Ahead a sharp rock lay near a stream. I wasn’t sure if I could actually kill my friend, but I had to fight. I wasn’t ready to give up this dream.
Huffing, I forced my legs to sprint harder. With a jagged intake of breath, I swiped up the rock and spun on my feet.
“Please,” I said, but I wasn’t sure what I was asking.
Natalya's stride didn’t falter as she sprinted towards me. She raised her knife above her head, ready to strike. I chucked the rock at her leg, knowing her momentum and low visibility would make it hard for her to avoid it. The rock struck true, and a cracking noise echoed in the quiet of the park.
Natalya stumbled, and hope bloomed in me.
“Maybe we can find a workaround, so we can both live,” I pleaded. “You could fake your death… or I could fake mine.”
I pictured it: hiding in Dmitri’s apartment from the rest of the world. Being able to spend another night in his arms.
Natalya grimaced, but she continued forward with her knife still raised, a limp in her left leg.
The tears came faster down my cheeks. “Please, Natalya. We can think of something together. It doesn’t have to end like this.”
“Nyet.” There was a finality to her voice, and I knew there was no reasoning or bargaining with her.
I took a step back, the chill of the creek soaking my feet. My fingers dug into the water, and picked up a sharp and heavy rock.
Tears poured down my face as Natalya slowly limped my way.
Yes, she’d betrayed me. She’d made me sob, and placed my safety at risk when she revealed to Roman what I’d said.
But people weren’t just one action, one moment. They were the sum of the laughter, and silent solidarity, and quiet friendship. I couldn’t hate her, couldn’t bring myself to come close to feeling that way about her. I didn’t want to kill her. Didn’t want to be the type of person who killed the people they cared about.
A roaring sound echoed, drowning out the sound of my sob.
A sports car zoomed through the blackness of the night, and we both froze. Central Park restricted cars in the park. Only law enforcement–or someone extremely connected–could enter. And that sure as hell didn’t look like a police cruiser.
“Who is that?” Natalya muttered.
Hopefully not the Pakhan here to finish us both off.
For one heartbeat, we both stared at each other wordlessly.
The car swerved hard in our direction. Bright headlights speared us in the eyes, and we both took off running.
Natalya limped in the opposite direction, obviously hoping the car was headed towards me. My lungs screamed as I tried to force my body to move.
When the car veered her way instead of mine, I knew without a doubt who it was. There was only one man who gave a shit if I lived or died.
The car screamed forward and slammed into Natalya’s back. I covered my mouth as her cry soared and abruptly died.
Dmitri stepped out of the car, his face a sky of fury. He strode towards me without even bothering to check on Natalya’s body underneath his car.
“Are you okay?” he said, his hands frantically checking my body for wounds.
With a sob, I grabbed his shirt. I threw my head into his warm chest, feeling truly at home for the first time since I’d left his house.
Chapter forty-nine
Alisa
Dmitri carried me into his apartment while I clung to him like he was my lifeline. Silent tears dripped down my cheeks.
