Flicking open my lighter, I hold it to my handkerchief. Flames catch. I drop it into the bin, watching the fire devour the evidence.
A hollow satisfaction fills my gut as I step outside. Niko watches me from the hallway.
“Well,” I say, “tell the Berishas it’s done. He wanted to get a cut of the shipment for himself. Go check his bank account.”
They’ll see the three extra zeros I transferred over. Untraceable, of course.
Niko’s assessing gaze pauses on my face.
“Questions?” I ask.
He shakes his head, eyes narrowed in anger.
“Teenagers,” he mutters. “Thirteen-year-olds. That was the last batch. The bastard got what’s coming.”
Anger climbs inside me. I think of Sofia—eyes haunted and lifeless, frame frail when I found her all those years ago. How close I was to losing her.
Niko grunts his approval and stalks off.
I can’t help but wonder why someone who clearly hates this life would stay with the Albanian mob.
Just as I slide into the backseat of my car, my phone pings.
Knight Ren
It worked. She’s on the run. Want me to go after her?
Ren attached a few photos—Lana getting into a black car.
A flare rises behind my ribs when I take in her face—the desperation, the fear when she glanced back at the house, like she thought we were going to hurt her. Like she truly believed she was running for her life.
I push down the emotions rising inside me. I won’t analyze why it hurts to breathe.
You hate her, Elias. Remember what she did. Remember why Kian ceased to exist.
But she never forgot me. I may have been drunk on my birthday, but I remember every second. There was sorrow in her eyes when she lit the candle.
Then another image flashes behind my eyelids—the heartache on her face days later in front of Hollow Gardens.
For me.
My conscience, something I thought was long dead, flickers to life. Conscience kills in my reality.
I harden myself and type a response.
Rook Elias
No, let her go. This way, we’ll see how much the feds have on us.
Knight Ren
Noted. Did I mention you’re a scary asshole?
I chuckle, motioning for John to drive.
Rook Elias
Chess is only scary if you’re the piece being sacrificed.
