I had to go to the hospital, though. I could hedge and fudge my way through an explanation about where I was and why I hadn’t gone on that mission. As much as I hated to lie and take advantage of anyone, I bet I could count on sympathy and understanding if I told them that the grief of recently losing my parents was impacting my mental health. Plausible, and false. It was a line I could use, though.
Okay, first thing, go to officially quit.
I needed to do the right thing. It would also be necessary to free me up for employment near London, too.
Going there just made the most sense. I was without resources and a support system here, where all these Mafia families ruled.
No, that’s not true.
I had Mikhail and all his help, but with his help, I was expected to risk my life. I couldn’t accept that.
Next, book a flight.
I would need to stop at the bank.
Then, get the hell out of here.
I sat up, sighing at how big of a move this would be. Unwilling to let this plan linger in my head and be daunting as I put it off, I got up and got going.
As soon as I exited the hotel, paranoia crept in. No matter which way I went, I grew nervous that people were watching me. On the subway, I was convinced two different menwerestalking me. They were too interested in keeping me within their line of sight, only glancing away when they thought I was about to catch them spying on me.
Are they Orlov spies?
Those Italians, the Giovannis?
Popov men, like the ones who took Anya?
Worrying about so many people following me, I panicked and tried not to show it. Instead, I counted down the stops until I’d get off and go into the hospital to hand in a resignation.
On the walk there, I was more convinced that multiple eyes were on me. People were following me. Murderers and criminals were on my tail. With sickening clarity, I realized how Mikhail had to assume I was a fool to dismiss and reject his protection.
Already, I was marked, known as his for the time I’d spent with him, but I refused to stop now. I was too determined to reclaim my normal life, to get back to the my homeland where I would be a nobody once more.
Holding my breath, I crossed the intersection to reach the last bit of the pavement to enter the hospital. Construction served as a detour, though, and I furrowed my brow when I was redirected from this entrance. It wasn’t the one I usually used to get to work in the emergency department for my shifts, but the one thatwould take me to the admin area, to the superiors I’d need to notify that I was leaving.
Nearing the usual way I used, the entrance I’d take for work, I tensed up and tried not to look nervous, like I was scoping my surroundings. This brought me closer to where that man attacked me in the parking garage. It was closer to where I’d rushed and found Jack beaten in the break room.
Turning another corner, I shivered with nerves and had to stop to catch my breath. I was so skittish, shaking from the adrenaline rush of being so near where I’d been captured before.
Just breathe.
In and out.
Take it easy. One breath at a time.
Crouching over, I fought the fear and anxiety that threatened to make me pass out. I wasn’t normally this weak and easily scared. I wasn’t that kind of a terrified nutcase. But I’d been on edge for days now, never knowing when the other shoe would drop.
I looked up at the sound of voices nearby. Men were talking and laughing, sounding like they were walking around a corner.
Jack?
I hadn’t known the charming doctor for long, but I caught a glimpse of him. His reflection showed in the window of a car parked nearby.
Oh, shit.
I had to steer clear of him. I hadn’t forgotten his prejudices against Mikhail and the Orlovs. I hadn’t dismissed hisfriendliness with the Giovannis. Nor could I erase the mental image of him beaten and hiding in the break room.
Swallowing hard, I tried to listen in. The reflection showed that he was talking and smiling at one of them now. A member of the Giovannis, recognizable with his slicked-back hair and that specific suit.
