My phone buzzes again.
Demi: I'm downstairs and coming up.
I jump up, go to the door, and open it. Three minutes pass until the elevator dings.
Demi steps off it, hurries down the hallway, her sympathy exploding. She tugs me into her arms. "Are you okay?"
I hug her back and let tears fall, sniffling, "Yeah. Come in." I step back inside.
She follows and shuts the door, announcing, "Don't worry. I got you."
My throat tightens. "Everything is so messed up."
She steps closer. "Mikhail was here?"
"Yes."
"Did he threaten you?"
"He set terms."
Her jaw tightens. "Of course he did."
"Why did you get him involved?"
She scoffs, "Who else was going to make everything disappear and get him out of the slammer?"
I bite on my lip, scrunching my face.
She hugs me again. "It's okay. We'll figure this out. Promise."
"How?" I ask, feeling hopeless.
She squeezes me tight, then retreats. "Let's sit down."
"Okay." I lead her to the couch, and we sit. I blurt out, "Mikhail called me leverage."
Her mouth curves, humorless. "You are."
Tears well in my eyes again.
She puts her hand on mine. "I've had time to think."
Tears fall, and I choke out, "About Red."
"Yes."
"What about Nikolai?"
She tilts her head, her eyes brightening, "What about him?"
"Isn't he going to talk to your dad?"
She smirks, "No. I told him not to."
I inhale sharply.
"What?" she innocently asks.
