Page 90 of Marked By the Mob

Eduard finishes bandaging the wound, his hands gentle despite the tension in his shoulders. “You’ll need antibiotics. And rest.”

“I don’t need rest,” Emma argues. “I need to figure out who shot at me.”

“We’ll handle it,” I say firmly.

Her gray-green eyes narrow. “This is my investigation.”

“And you just became the target.” My voice comes out harder than I intend. “You’re not going anywhere until we know who’s hunting you.”

Before Emma can argue further, one of my captains appears in the doorway. “Sir, the woman is secured in the east wing. She’s demanding to see Emma.”

I hadn’t even noticed when the guard escorted Krystal from the room. “Tell her to wait,” I say without looking away from Emma’s face.

“Rurik, she didn’t do this,” Emma says, her voice tight. “Krystal wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Maybe not willingly.” I lean closer, my hand finding her uninjured shoulder. “But Volkov is very good at making people do what he wants.”

Emma’s expression shifts, doubt flickering across her face before she pushes it away. “I know her. She’s trying to help.”

“Then she won’t mind answering some questions.”

Just as I’m leaving the room, Emma asks, “Why would anyone try to kill me if they want me as an asset so badly?”

I pause and turned to look at her. “They’re probably thinking if they can’t have you, then no one will.”

I leave Eduard to finish with Emma and head to the east wing where Krystal is being held. The room is comfortable but secure, with reinforced windows and a lock that only opens from the outside. Krystal paces near the window, her light blue dress still stained with Emma’s blood.

She spins when I enter, her hazel eyes blazing with fury and fear. “You can’t keep me here. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Someone shot at Emma,” I say flatly. “And you were the only person, other than us, who knew where she’d be.”

“I didn’t tell anyone!” Krystal’s voice rises. “I swear, I came alone. I didn’t even tell Volkov I was meeting her.”

“Then how did the shooter know where to find her?”

Krystal’s face crumples, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I don’t know. Maybe they followed me. I don’t know!”

I study her carefully, looking for the tells that indicate deception. But all I see is genuine terror and confusion. Either she’s an exceptional liar or she’s telling the truth.

“You’ll stay here until we verify your story,” I say, turning toward the door.

“Please,” Krystal calls after me. “Please let me see Emma. I need to know she’s okay.”

I pause in the doorway. “She’s fine. The wound isn’t serious.”

Then I’m gone, leaving Krystal’s sobs echoing behind me.

Back in the medical room, Emma is sitting up despite Eduard’s protests. Artur has stopped pacing and now leans against the wall, his dark eyes watching her with an intensity that matches what I’m feeling.

“Krystal?” Emma asks immediately.

“Secured. She claims she didn’t tell anyone about the meeting.”

“Because she didn’t.” Emma’s voice is firm, certain.

I want to believe her. Want to trust that Krystal is genuine. But I’ve seen too many betrayals, too many people turned against their will or their better judgment.

My phone vibrates with an incoming message. I read it quickly, my jaw tightening.