Logical. Efficient. The best move.
“Don’t get attached.”Roman’s voice pops into my head, a ghost from years ago.“Go, Kolya. Now.Attachments are weaknesses.”
He saw how my hesitation when the Falcones came for us back then nearly got me killed.
I know the right choice.
Let Chloe go and secure the objective.
In my mind’s eye, Chloe’s on her knees on the floor, dabbing at my knuckles with ridiculous, tender focus. She’s leaning over a small child, comforting him in a hobby store.
The guys after her won’t kill her, not right away.
First, they’ll force her to talk.
Then, they’ll make her regret ever saying a word.
They’ll break her and obliterate her light.
A protest roars through me like a flooded river.
No. She’s mine.
A lifetime of logic fractures. I can’t betray Roman or my father’s legacy.
But I can’t abandon Chloe either.
So I lie to myself instead.
Chloe is the link from the island to the diamonds. My job is to retrieve those diamonds. Can’t let the other guys have her. What if she possesses valuable information?
The excuse, while paper-thin, is the only thing holding back the truth.
I’m choosing her over my mission. Over Roman’s approval. Over my father’s ghost.
The hushed murmurs of Chloe and her friend continue from the hallway. I approach them, my shoes silent on the carpet.
They stop talking to stare.
I jerk my chin at Chloe. “We need to leave.”
Bree’s eyes narrow with suspicion while bewilderment creases Chloe’s brow. “What’s wrong? Why? We can spend the night?—”
“No. We can’t.”
Color drains from her face. She rests a hand on the wall, steadying herself. “What? How?—”
“Doesn’t matter. We go.”
“I can’t abandon Bree!” Panic edges her words.
Bree purses her lips. Our eyes lock.
I know what she sees. A dangerous stranger who’s brought trouble to her door and put her friend at risk.
She’s right to be afraid. To want me gone.
“Call the cops.” Not for her sake, but to get Chloe out of here without me having to throw the woman over my shoulder.
