I spin toward the crowd and shout, "He will now compete for an initiation with rings."
The crowd erupts, and the pitch oozes down my spine once more. I strut through the membership, toss daggers at the security team, and push through the exit.
My driver, Vito, stands next to the rear door. He opens it. "Ma'am."
I slide inside, not saying anything.
Cassian hands me my clutch and shuts the door. He opens the passenger door and gets in.
I demand, "Who was he?"
Cassian turns. His dark eyes fill with as much anger as I feel. "I don't know."
"It's your job to know, so I know," I seethe, right as Vito slams the driver's door shut.
"I'll find out," Cassian assures.
I hit the button for the divider window and pick up my phone. It rings once.
Kirill's heavy Russian accent fills the line. "Valentina."
"Did you see it?" I ask, my nerves filling with more fire.
"Yes."
I lick my lips, but my mouth is dry. "Why wasn't I given intel on him?"
"I can't answer that," Kirill states.
"You're the king," I remind him.
The line turns silent.
The SUV makes a sharp turn and accelerates. I close my eyes, asking again, "Why wasn't I informed?"
"You know the answer to that," Kirill answers.
I take several deep breaths to calm my insides, but new worries fill me. When I trust my voice, I declare, "It was another test from the Omni."
Kirill stays silent.
I swallow hard. "Did I pass?"
"Are you seated in your SUV heading home?" he questions, but it's not really one.
I release an anxious breath. "Yes."
"There's your answer."
I close my eyes again, leaning my head against the rest, allowing myself to feel the sense of relief for a moment.
Kirill interjects, "The path has now changed."
More anxiety hits me. "I know."
Several moments of deep silence pass.
I blurt out, "Maybe I should have had him killed?"
