“Well, there’s something you both have in common,” I say. “You’re both offering help I didn’t ask for and don’t want or need.”
Max’s eyes widen. “Are you serious? You got attacked by Russian goons and you don’t think you need help?”
“Not from either of you.”
Max throws his hands in the air. “Kyle, I know you and I are kind of on the outs right now, but this is bigger than that. This is your sister we’re talking about, and she’s in serious fucking danger. Can we put aside our beef for like, two minutes, and figure out what to do with her?”
Kyle’s eyes stay on me, his jaw working. I can tell he’s considering it. “Maybe. I don’t know. God, what a mess. We’ve still got that safe house in Springfield, right? We could put her there for a little while, at least until things cool down.”
“Yeah,” Max agrees. “She can stay there with a few uni’s until we can figure out what’s going on.”
Sitting there listening to them discuss me like I’m not in the room with them is about all I can take. “Will you both just shut the fuck up?”
They stop talking and slowly turn their attention toward me.
I stand up. “Listen to you two! Standing there talking about me like I’m not even here, like I’m some piece of furniture you need to find a place for. I’m not a goddamn child. And I’m not going to stand here while you decide my future for me.”
Max raises his palms. “Okay, okay, easy. Let’s take a second here and figure this out?—”
“There’s nothing to figure out,” I interrupt. “I’m in danger. That’s for sure. And yes, maybe it was my fault for getting into this mess in the first place. But this ismymessto get out of. And I’m going to do it.”
Kyle pushes off the desk. “Amalie, please don’t tell me?—”
“I’m going to Roman’s.”
Max’s eyes flash. “Babe, you can’t be serious. You step out that door and you might get attacked again.”
“I’m not yourbabe.” I turn to Kyle. “And I’m not your burden to figure out. I’m leaving.”
I turn and walk out of the office. Kyle hurries after me. I stop and glare at him with pure anger in my eyes. “I think I made myself clear. Leave me alone, Kyle.”
He raises his palms. “Amalie,thisis where you’re safe. Just stay here one night. That’s all I ask.”
“This is not a smart call,” Max says.
“It’smycall,” I reply as I walk away.
This time they don’t follow me.
I storm out of the place, rushing through the automatic doors so fast I nearly slam into them.
Outside, my breath puffs, and it hits me as I walk down the block that I have no idea what I’m going to do next.And then I see Andrei. He’s leaning against a parked car, his hands tucked into his coat, watching me. He gives me a small nod as I approach.
“I had a feeling you would be out of there sooner than later.”
I hug my coat around myself, my heart pounding. “Take me back.”
He gives me a once-over, checking for injuries. “You feel alright? You did get attacked, after all. Not to mention you put up one hell of a fight.”
“I’m fine. Please, let’s just go.”
Without another word, he opens the back door and I slide in.
As soon as he shuts it, I realize I’ve made a decision I might not be able to come back from.
CHAPTER 33
AMALIE
