“The biker is downstairs, ready to talk. I want to hear what he says straight from his mouth,” he explains. I don’t ask where “downstairs” is. I remember it all too well.
“Will you—” I don’t know how to saybe carefulordon’t bleedwithout insulting him.
“Yes,” he says. “There are plenty of guards up here now, even if you can’t see them. You’ll be safe until I return.”
“I know,” I agree.
He steps past me, hand brushing my arm for exactly one heartbeat, enough heat to carry me to the kitchen and back. “Go back to sleep. Eat some breakfast,” he suggests.
When he’s gone, I toss and turn, unable to go back to sleep. Eventually, I get up to go make coffee.
On the kitchen island, beside Dominik’s ruby necklace, sits a new vase of flowers. Eleven flawless white roses…and one black rose in the dead center.
For a moment, I actually smile—right up until I lift the card.
For Alina.
My stomach drops. That isn’t the sweet message I was expecting.
I’d already assumed Dominik bought them, so who else could they be for?
Except…maybe they’re not from Dominik.
A cold shudder moves down my spine. I don’t know whether to feel flattered, unsettled, or hunted.
After my coffee, I decide to pluck the black rose from the center of the bouquet and carry it with me to the bedroom, turning it slowly between my fingers. The petals leave a faint stain on my skin like ink.
Gavriil thinks this is all a game. One he’s certain he’s already won.
God, I hope Dominik proves him wrong.
22
Dominik
The soft soundof my door settling back into the frame follows me down the hall along with the image of Alina in my bed. I lock up the apartment because I don’t want anyone in there with her when I’m gone. I trust my men with my life. I don’t trust anyone with her. They can guard from the hallways, the lobby, the exits. I won’t be but an elevator ride away.
The hole in my side is a clean, unfriendly reminder of Archer that opens whenever I breathe too deeply. I keep my breath shallow. I keep my promises. Alina will be safe here even if I’m not with her.
Turning away from the door, I wait for the guards to arrive and give them their instructions before getting on the elevator.
The ride down to the basement is empty. My phone vibrates once in my hand, and I glance at the screen.
RENAT:He’s all yours.
I tuck the device away. The mirrored walls throw back a man in a black shirt that hides more than it reveals and a face thatforgot how to be soft when it learned how to be useful. Alina’s scent lives on my skin now, and even that simple reminder of her makes me miss the soft part.
The doors open onto the lower level of the parking garage and rows of expensive cars. It’s a long line of space, steel overhead, fluorescent strips of light buzzing. The air is heavy with the scent of gasoline.
Renat meets me along the way, a slice of shadow with patient eyes. “Boss.” He doesn’t look at my side. He’ll keep pretending the hole isn’t there unless I fall over, and then he’ll pretend it was the floor’s fault. That is loyalty.
“We gave Archer the time for the money drop,” Renat says. “We’ll wait until the last minute to call him on a burner with the address.”
“Good,” I reply.
“You want him brought back here?”
“Not yet. Let him think he’s in the clear once he makes the drop. Keep someone on him, close enough to make him paranoid but far enough that he can’t spot them,” I respond.
