“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper, patting his back lightly. He sighs, his body finally relaxing, the tension easing from his small frame.
I hum softly, something to keep him calm. And, after a few more moments, he’s out. I stay there for a beat, watching him. He looks so damn peaceful like this, so far removed from everything we’re caught up in. I wish I could give him that peace all the time.
Slowly, I stand, careful not to wake him. My legs are stiff, body aching, but I move toward the window, eyes scanning the treeline outside. It’s quiet.
No movement. No sign of anyone. That’s good.
I reach for my phone, pulling it out and staring at the empty screen. Still no word from Stephan.
Fucking typical.
I bite my lip, hesitating before typing out a quick, vague message to Mitch.
Hey, Mitch… it’s me. I’m in trouble. Elijah and I are at the lake house. Could use your help.
I hit send and regret it the second I toss the phone onto the table.
Mitch has no idea what kind of shit I’m in.
But I need someone. I can’t do this alone.
He’s going to flip when heknows I volunteered for the mission to poison Leonid Kuznetsov.
I stare at the phone for a moment longer, but there’s nothing else to say, nothing else to do but wait.
I glance back at the couch, at Elijah’s small form curled up, breathing softly in his sleep. The soft rise and fall of his chest is the only thing grounding me right now.
I settle down beside him, pulling the thick blanket up over his shoulders and wrapping an arm around him, tucking him close to me.
I need to stay awake, but sleep tugs at me hard. My body’s heavy, the exhaustion from running, hiding, and the constant fear hitting me all at once.
Just for a second,I tell myself.Close my eyes for just a second.But even in that brief second, I know it’s a mistake.
forty-one
Leonid
Ileanagainst the tree, eyes fixed on the cabin in the distance. The power’s already cut, the entire place swallowed by the night. It’s silent now.
She’s in there, probably thinking she’s finally safe, tucked away with her little secret.Sukahas no fucking clue I’m this close. No idea the noose is tightening around her neck.
My lips curl as the tension coils in my chest.
I’ve waited for this moment, letting her think she’s outsmarted me. Stupidsuka. She thinks she can just disappear? Run from me? Not a chance.
Maksim stands next to me, cracking his knuckles. “You know,” he says, voice low but smug, “we could’ve wrapped this up an hour ago. But no, gotta let the big man have his little surprise party.”
I grit my teeth, my jaw tightening at his words, but I keep my eyes locked on the cabin, ignoring his yapping. He doesn’t know when to shut up.
He keeps going, though.
“Seriously, boss, what’s the deal? You getting hard over the idea of scaring some woman and her brat? Or are you just dragging this out for fun?”
“Shut thenahhooiup, you absolutemudak!” My patience snaps.
Thatpeedorlaughs, dark and low, nudging Dmitry. “The boss is all worked up. Must be something about thisClara Caldwell, huh? She’s got you playing fucking hide-and-seek. Just admit it, you’re loving this.”
I clench my jaw, eyes still on the cabin. “You don’t know shit, Maksim. Keep running your mouth, and I’ll make sure you’re the one babysitting that kid when this is over.”
