“Well, most of us aren’t.”
I picture myself punching Joker square in the jaw. It’s a brief fantasy but satisfying enough that I clench my fist without thinking. My gaze hardens.
“You’re Ravens. You’re murderers.”
My stomach twists as Jake’s face flashes in my mind. Jake, my brother, the reason I’m in this situation in the first place. I’ll never forget what the Ravens did to him. To us.
Joker stretches, kicking his feet up onto the seat in front of him, “Yes, we are.” He shrugs. “But right now? I’m just entertained by someone as interesting as you.”
Interesting?
My blood boils, and my nails dig into the armrest, but I force myself to glance at Elijah. He’s still lost in Pikachu’s world, completely unaware of the tension crackling around us. I bite down on the frustration building in my chest. “I’m not playing this game.” I hiss through clenched teeth.
Joker’s smirk widens as he reaches forward and ruffles Elijah’s hair.
“Oh, you’re already playing, Clara,” he says, his tone like he’s talking to a stubborn kid who doesn’t get the rules.
SMACK!
I don’t even process what happens until my hand is stinging and Joker’s face is frozen in surprise. Both of us blink. That…wasn’texactly planned. Elijah turns toward the commotion, his eyes wide, confusion etched on his face.
Joker rubs his jaw, his expression turning to something between amusement and disbelief.
“Ouch,” he says, loud enough for Elijah to hear, his voice dripping with mock sincerity. “Your mommy’s so… strong.”
Elijah giggles, and Joker turns to me, that grin creeping back across his face.
“No wonder our boss has a thing for you.” He leans in slightly, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “Though, I’ve got to hand it to you—I’m still amazed you’re alive after trying to poison thePakhan.”
My body tenses.
Joker’s eyes gleam as he watches my reaction, his smirk widening even more. “But you know… you’re not the first. Just the first to get this far.”
6
Leonid
Ishouldn’t be thinking about the captive woman and her kid so much.
I also shouldn’t be wondering who she’s been with or where the fuck the father of the kid is.
I should be focusing on the fact that Aleksei’s trying to marry me off like some Russian Jane Austen novel. Instead, I’m wondering if Clara’s managed to break any of Dmitry’s fingers yet.
Pizdets.That old man’s gotten way ahead of himself. Thinks he can run my life like Papa’s still alive, like I’m some teenager.
I make a left turn, leaving behind the fancy-ass restaurant district. The city around me is gray and worn, buildings leaning with age, the occasional flash of graffiti in the corners.
I push the gas; the road ahead stretches, cracked asphalt and faded yellow lines disappearing beneath the Brabus.
Traffic catches me at the next light.
Some asshole in a Prius is taking his sweet time, probably composing a tweet about saving the planet. I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, glancing up. The sky’s hanging low, heavy clouds the color of wet cement. Noon and the sun can’t even be bothered to show up properly.
Typical October.
My hand reaches for the radio, needing something to drown out my thoughts of Red’s voice still echoing in my head.
Before I can hit the button, my phone buzzes on the seat next to me.
