I smile and hold back a laugh.
Me: I'll see you another time. Have fun with him.
Zara: I'm sorry. Call you later.
I exit the lobby, and the cold gust slices across my cheeks.
Vito springs out of the black SUV before I reach the curb.
Cassian steps out of the passenger seat, posture stiff, eyes scanning the area like he suddenly remembers what his job is.
Too late.
"Valentina," Cassian greets, voice even.
"Don't," I cut him off. Rage simmers under my skin, hotter than the winter wind.
Cassian flinches. "It won't happen again."
"It shouldn't have happened at all. Once is enough to get me killed. Don't make me repeat myself," I snap.
His jaw tightens, but he lowers his gaze. "Understood."
I slide into the backseat.
Vito shuts the door gently, then circles to the driver's side.
Cassian gets in front, saying nothing.
"Kirill's," I announce, then text.
Me: We need to talk. Are you home?
Kirill: Yes. Come over.
Vito starts the engine without looking back. The city lights smear against the windows as we cut through traffic.
I stare straight ahead, my pulse pounding in my ears. My thoughts spiral over Luca, Zara, my dead parents, and the Omni, who aren't making it easy for me to earn my seat. Then there's Vito and Cassian, who I'm no longer confident can keep me safe.
When we pull up to Kirill's building, Vito jumps out and opens my door.
I step onto the pavement and duck into the lobby. The guard nods at me. The elevator doors slide open immediately. I get on it and it smoothly lifts to the penthouse. When the doors part, I enter Kirill's.
He stands in front of the massive glass wall overlooking Lake Michigan. The evening clouds turned the endless water dark. City lights glitter along its edge. Snow flurries drift past the glass like ash.
"You're pacing," I say softly.
"I was," he replies, his voice distant. "Not anymore." He finally looks over his shoulder. He wears his unreadable expression, carved from stone and shadow. It's the kind of face that makes grown men confess their sins before he asks. But there's something softer in his eyes, too.
It's the look he always gives me now. It's the same expression I see on Brax whenever I have a task to complete with him.
Kirill asks, "Are you okay?"
I ignore answering what he's really asking and step closer. "No. Cassian didn't know Luca was going to Zara's. He didn't alert me until Luca was already in the elevator. He missed the signs about Brax. He missed other things, too. He's losing focus, and I can't afford that."
Kirill peers closer. "You want him replaced?"
I shake my head. "No. I need him replaced. If he can't anticipate basic threats, he's a liability. I need someone better."
