The drive back to the Barinov estate is quiet.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Andrei asks. He’d been silent up to that point. Probably to give me a little space and some time to think.
“I’m fine, really. What about you? You fought three guys.”
He snorts softly, as if it’s amusing to him that I would think that was an issue. “What’s the expression? ‘You should see the other guy?’”
“Guys in this case.”
“Right.”
Despite everything, a little laugh escapes me. Andrei gives me a sideways look.
“What happened after I ran?” I ask quietly.
“Nothing you need to worry about. Let’s just say out of the four of us, I’m the only one who won’t be falling asleep in a hospital tonight.”
I swallow. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Running.”
He laughs. “You did exactly as you should’ve done. I told you to run. And the way you kicked that man in the knee was impressive.”
“Thanks.”
“I understand this is all a lot to take in,” he says. “But this is the world Roman seeks to keep you from. The world he never wants Sasha to know about. I know Roman well enough to know that right now, he’s thinking about how he’s going to make sure you never see it again.”
I don’t quite know what to say to that. I turn toward the window and rest my forehead against the cool glass. Fear still hums underneath my skin, traces of adrenaline coursing through my veins. But I also feel relief, knowing that every mile closer to the estate is another mile closer to safety. And to what is, with each passing day, feeling more and more like home.
When we arrive, the gates open smoothly and slowly. The house seems to rise up out of the dark—solid, watchful, vast. Roman’s fortress. I notice immediately the extra guards on the grounds.
Andrei parks near the entrance and gets out first, scanning the area before opening my door. I grab my bag and step out. Moments later we’re passing the threshold to the mansion, the familiar scent of wood smoke and leather hitting me. I shrug out of my coat and Andrei quickly takes it from me.
“Sasha?” I ask immediately.
“Asleep. He’s been asking for you. I didn’t know what to say, but he’ll be pleased to see you’re here in the morning.”
Guilt and relief crash together in my heart. I had my reasons for running, but now that I’m back, I can’t believe I left Sasha the way I did.
“Roman?”
“In his office.” Then, after a beat, “He is eager to see you.”
“Yeah. I bet.”
“Would you like me to go with you?”
I consider it. “No. I should do this alone.”
“Very well. Good luck.” Andrei nods and walks away.
After taking a few moments to steel myself, I turn and start down the familiar long hallway. I reach the massive double doors to his office and knock.
“Come in.”
I push in one of the doors and enter the vast, dim room. A fire is roaring low in the hearth. Roman stands near the desk, jacket off, sleeves rolled, a glass of whiskey his hand.
