“Since we pulled Dave’s flagged transaction list. Her name came up more than once. I connected the dots. You’re welcome again.”
“She hasn’t called the cops?”
“No. Only outgoing calls were to Grandma. Two pizza orders. And one Google search for—wait for it—‘Ménière’s disease emergency care protocol.’”
He shifts forward, eyes sharper now. “But someone sent a hitter after her?”
I nod.
Boris whistles low. “You sure it’s not a coincidence?”
“No.”
“Then why protect her?”
Because I want to.
“I’m not protecting her.”
Suka, I’m just keeping her alive long enough to stop being a liability. Which—coincidentally—means watching her like she’s mine.
He huffs. “You are so bad at lying, boss.”
I push off the counter, ignore the smirk on his face, and walk to the window. Her blinds are still crooked from this morning. The silhouette of her pacing across her room moves like she’s still arguing with someone in her head.
“I’m just saying, boss… she’s not a threat. She’s not even a problem. She’s just… stuck. You, meanwhile, dragged that intoourworld.”
I turn back to the window. Her silhouette is visible through the curtain. Pacing.
“Someone already decided she matters. That makes her leverage. If she dies, it sends a message I don’t control.”
Boris clicks his tongue and sets the laptop down on the counter. “So we’re babysitting civilians now. Got it.”
He reaches into his bag and tosses something onto the counter. It skids across the laminate—small, sleek, black.
I pick it up.
Custom-milled key fob. Heavy. Carbon black. Laser-etched crest.
My crest.
“What is this?”
“Penthouse key,” he says, like it’s obvious. “The one in Viretta Heights. Top floor, east tower. Lev and I bought it under your name two years ago.”
I blink.
“The one you never visit. The one with a private elevator, reinforced windows, and a rooftop greenhouse Lev insists he designed for your mental health.”
“Why the hell would I—?”
“You’re the boss. We invest so you don’t have to think about it.” He waves a hand. “It’s fully stocked. Weapons, tech, condoms,vodka. Lev said to tell you ‘you’re welcome’ in whatever tone offends you most.”
I toss the fob onto the counter.
“Look, I know you don’t care about luxury,” Boris says, sobering. “But people are watching you now. Not just us. Igor’s getting… twitchy.”
“He’s always been twitchy.”
