He jerks his head in a desperate lunge, driving himself into the edge. The blade sinks deep. The sound he makes is wet and broken, and he slumps forward, chains rattling as blood spills onto the concrete.
I look at him, taken off guard.
“Well,” I say as I straighten, “that was unexpected.”
I turn to the second man.
His eyes don’t flicker. “I’m dead either way,” he says hoarsely. “But if I die here, at least my daughter lives.”
The words land hard.
A daughter.
Someone threatened a child.
He isn’t going to speak. That much is clear.
Markev’s gun is suddenly in my hand. I raise it and pull the trigger.
The second man drops forward and stills, as the room falls quiet.
“Well,” I say coolly, “that’s another dead end.”
“Clean this up,” I tell Adriano. “Station men at the port and the airstrip. Question everyone who enters or leaves the island. Anyone who even feels wrong, take them in. Keep digging. I don’t like this.”
He nods, looking pale but steady. “Yes, boss.”
“And go get stitched,” I add. “You need to be seen by a doctor.”
He smirks. “I knew you cared.”
I smile, because I do, but I can’t afford to show weakness, especially when people are already testing my authority.
I turn away and walk out without looking back. Markev follows.
My thoughts keep circling.
Whoever is behind this is powerful. And whoever they are, him, her, them, people are afraid.
Afraid enough to die.
These men are usually cold blooded, self-interested. Assassins don’t sacrifice themselves unless they’re given a reason.
But their handler knows exactly where to apply pressure, knows their weaknesses well to make them choose death over giving up anything useful.
That unsettles me.
And I don’t like being unsettled.
Chapter 45
Octavia
Milo leads me to his car. He starts the engine, and within moments we’re back on the road, heading towards the academy.
He drives in silence before glancing at me. “My men are looking into it as well. We’ll find him. And I promise you, his death won’t be easy.”
I smile.
