His confession about being Roman’s enforcer. My memories of the island. Where the heck are the diamonds, and how did I somehow get roped into this? Targeted by the Russian mafia before I even met Kolya. Falcone doesn’t sound Russian, though. Maybe they’re the regular mafia?
Is there a “regular” mafia?
I rub my temples and groan while pieces that don’t quite fit together yet nag at the back of my mind. I’ve never been good atthinking while stationery. Itchy brains require movement…like cleaning up the mess I created with my temper tantrum.
I wince. I still can’t believe I completely lost it like that or that Kolya let me.
Despite my borrowed sweatpants and the shirt I found in a dresser drawer, the cool air raises goosebumps on my skin. I wrap my arms around myself as I glide silently through the living room.
Kolya said a guy named MJ found out about the diamonds several months ago. Then, somehow, my name came up after he died.
But why? What happened several months ago?
Strewn across the floor, I find a scattering of broken pottery. I’ll have to locate another container before putting the faux succulent back on the shelf.
My steps falter as I stare at the ceramic shards.
Broken.
My mind whirls until an image of another damaged item appears.
Broken, like the latch on the globe.
I never did manage to open the thing.
With an almost audible click, the pieces snap together.
The rubber succulent slips from my fingers.
The diamonds aren’t in my classroom…but they used to be. Right up until I unknowingly moved them due to a change in school policy.
The globe bar.
Ticking like a time bomb.
My breath catches in my throat.
I was so touched by that gift.
So naive.
Darn it all to heck!
I should’ve known better. Who anonymously leaves a kindergarten teacher an expensive vintage globe bar? My own parents barely remember to send me Christmas cards.
Even when I received the present, I brushed aside my concerns that the gift seemed extravagant, telling myself I deserved nice things now and then.
What an idiot.
I was always the bait. Someone left me the globe and then told that MJ guy.
With twenty million dollars at stake, I’m lucky Kolya didn’t just shoot me in the head so he could ransack my house. That’s what the other guys tried to do.
Kolya may be a monster, but at least he doesn’t want me dead.
Unless he’s still playing me.
Chills scamper across my body, prickling my skin. Desperate for activity, I hurry from the kitchen and start picking up the books and pillows on the floor.
