He must hear me put it on because he tells me to wait. “There’s more.”
My gut twists. How could there possibly be more?
Blyad.
“What is it? Spit it out,mudak!”
Timur exhales. “Aslanov is back from Moscow.”
That shouldn’t be too big of a surprise. “And?”
“Our guy spotted him last night leaving Watson & Co. Charles was opening the door for him, apparently, shaking his hand and seeing him off the premises. Looked like they struck a deal of some sort.”
I exhale, the mix of rage and fear for Lauren’s life creating a nauseating feeling in my stomach.
“Boss?” Timur says after an extended period of silence.
I give an absentminded, “Da,” as I slip on my jacket, grabbing my keys.
“Be careful,bratok. Call me if you need me.”
I hang up the phone. Being careful is the last fucking thing on my agenda right now.
I must get to Lauren.
Right fucking now.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lauren
My stomach rumbles but I have no appetite.
I get up anyway, deciding to head out for some lunch. The thought of eating makes me feel sick, but I can’t pass on food. I need all of the strength I can get, especially now that my father knows I stole from him.
Besides, the baby needs food. I need to make sure I’m in top shape for the little soul growing under my heart.
I take the elevator down to the ground floor and wait for the glass doors to slide open. The sun in Atlanta carries some heat today, soothing my skin. I take off my jacket and tie it around my shoulders, reveling in the warm air. I need some after staring into my father’s cold eyes this morning.
The streets around my workplace get busy around noon. People fill the sidewalk, rushing to grab a quick bite before they head back to work.
I walk in my ballet flats, part of me still wishing I wore heels so that I’d have a weapon with me. The wedge on Louboutins should not be underestimated.
I slip into a busy café and order a black Americano, looking over my shoulder every time I get the urge. Which is often enough for me to look out of place.
I force my shoulders to relax, reassuring myself that I’m safe as long as I stay in crowded areas. But despite all of my efforts to undo the knot in my stomach, there’s still a feeling in me, screaming at me to be on guard.
After the parking lot attack, there’s no such thing as being overly cautious. It occurs to me that the only place I feel safe these days is Nikolai’s penthouse or with him by my side. Withhim watching over me, I can finally relax my muscles, but when he’s gone, there’s always a chance that something bad could happen.
“Jesus, Lau, take a chill pill.”I murmur to myself, sighing out all of the tension. “You’re only making matters worse. Nothing bad is going to happen with all these people around.”
I sit down with my coffee and grilled cheese sandwich, focusing intently on the crunch of the toasted bread as I bite into it to distract my mind. Washing the bites down with warm coffee, I scan my surroundings for any suspicious behavior.
There’s a man opposite me wearing a suit. He gets up to greet his wife, so I drop my gaze. Another one enters the coffee shop, meeting my eyes for just one passing moment. The next moment he looks away, busying himself with something else entirely. Coworkers enjoy lunch together, relaying work gossip. Next to me, an elderly couple tuck into avocado on toast. The woman bursts the poached egg with the edge of her fork, bright yellow yolk spilling out. I concentrate as it spills over like lava from a volcano.
Just like blood from a person’s neck.
Seriously, Lauren?
