“Copy.” His voice is neutral. He’s riding in the lead vehicle protecting the convoy, meaning he’s not alone in the Humvee. But I need to hear his voice, just once more before we all lock down in mission mode.
“They just intercepted the route details. Everything’s proceeding as planned.”
“Good. How are you holding up?”
“I’m… fine. You know I live for this stuff.” What I don’t say is that I’m worried about him. Because even the best-laid plans can go to shit in the blink of an eye. And for all my mini-celebrations, I know the Ghost is smart and capable. I just pray this time, I’m smarter and more capable. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“You know I will,” he says, his voice taking on a gruff note.
“This will be over soon,” I promise him. What I don’t say is we’re so close to being able to be together for real. The future I dreamed of but didn’t think I’d ever get is now within my grasp. “I love you, Kirill.”
“I love you too, baby.”
The line goes quiet but I keep the headset on for an extra second, holding onto the sound of his voice. For the first time in my life, I let myself want something I never thought I’d have—a life with the man I love by my side.
But we need to get through tonight first.
I stretch my neck from side to side and lock in on my monitors. One by one, the trucks from the convoy pull out, and start the slow roll across the city.
This isn’t the dangerous part but I hold my breath anyhow. There’s risk involved in all parts of this mission, but so far, it’s going according to plan.
The door opens behind me, and without turning, I say to Gigi, “I’m good on coffee. Another cup and I’m going to be all shaky.”
“We have a problem, Dinara.”
The voice is deep, male, and definitely not Gigi.
I spin in my chair. Miron stands in the doorway, his expression grim.
He must have just gotten back from Russia.
“Miron, Jesus, you scared me. What’s the problem? Is it the operation? Did something happen?”
“I found her.”
My heart stops. “What?”
“Your mother. Marina.” He steps into the room, closing the door behind him. “I found her. She’s alive. And she’s here in New York.”
The room tilts. My mother’s in the same city as me?
“Where is she? Can I see her?”
“I’ll explain everything on the way.” His voice is urgent. “She’s in danger. We need to leave now.”
My confusion sharpens into unease. Something isn’t adding up.
I lick my dry lips. “I can’t. I’m in the middle of coordinating this mission.”
His face turns dark. “That’s really too bad.”
He launches at me. I surge out of the chair, lunging for the door to call for backup. His hand catches my wrist mid-reach and yanks me sideways. I twist into the pull, using his momentum against him, and drive my knee toward his groin.
He shifts, blocking with his thigh, and his free hand goes for his jacket.
“Gigi!” I scream as loud as I can. “Help!”
His palm slams over my mouth, cutting off the sound. I sink my teeth into his hand and taste blood. He doesn’t even flinch.
