I close my eyes for half a second. "What do you want?"
She pauses, then chirps, "I want to meet you."
"Why?"
"Because men don't get pulled into Ivanov territory by accident. And if you're already in it... Well, you're going to need a friend on your side."
My gut twists.
Her voice drops. "Don't you want to know how Blue's doing?"
The line stays open, waiting for my response.
So does the fire I keep stepping into.
CHAPTER THREE
Blue
Not much time passes before my cell door opens again. An officer announces, "Time to go, Ms. Ivanov."
"Ivanvov? Like intheIvanovs?" the annoying woman who hasn't moved off her seat chirps.
I ignore her and step past the bars, following him through the stale-aired hallways. When we get to the final door, Aunt Kora waits in front of it.
Sympathy and worry flare in her expression, yet to the outside world, they wouldn't see it. She stands with a clipboard, posture perfect, and eyes level. Her coat hangs perfectly, dark and unwrinkled. She reeks of authority and a warning for anyone attempting to mess with her.
The officer nods when we get closer. "She's all yours."
"Thank you," Aunt Kora states. The door buzzes, and she motions with her arm for me to move forward.
I need to find Red.
"Where is he?" I ask, stepping past her.
The plainclothes officer who interrogated me before Aunt Kora arrived stands in the corner.
"Not here," she cautions, then holds out a clipboard and pen. "I need you to sign."
I take the pen, sign where she points, and hand it back to her.
She steps toward the officer and gives it to him. "Send a copy to me for my records."
"Yes, ma'am," he replies.
She puts her arm on my back, steers me through the station, and out the exit.
Her black SUV sits at the entrance. Her driver opens the passenger door, and I climb inside. She slides next to me, shuts the divider window, and turns. "Are you okay?"
"Where is Red?" I repeat, my voice cracking, eyes tearing.
The car pulls away from the curb.
"Blue—"
"Where?" I beg.
"I suspect he'll be out soon," she offers.
