Page 26 of Wayward

It hit me then, what she was saying. “Oh no, I’m not worried about Lev finding me.”

“Why the hell not?” She sounded affronted.

“Because he wants to be free more than he wants to get his revenge on me.”

“I—”

“Did Nara disappear? Leave with him? They were supposed to be in love.”

“Yeah, you told us that, and we have eyes on her, but no. She stayed with her brother and her family. I think whatever feelings she had for Mr. Kamenov paled in comparison to people she loves.”

That sounded like Nara. Vanya and her parents had always been her first love.

“So you don’t think if Kamenov had the opportunity—”

“Here’s the thing you have to know about him,” I explained. “He failed. He didn’t kill me, and he’d rather die himself than ever face me again. Not to mention, he failed my father. I’m telling you right now, he’ll go live in Siberia rather than deal with that shame.”

She nodded. “Not that I doubt you, but I’ve known more criminals than you have, and I’m here to tell you, that’s not how it works. You think he has some innate sense of honor, like the failure is the biggest part of this equation, but you’re wrong.”

“Listen, I—”

“What? Know him? Maks, let’s face it, you got caught completely unawares because guess what, you never really knew him at all.”

And she was right, to a degree. I’d missed the betrayal, yes. But I knew what lay at the heart of the man. “The failure, his honor…you’re just not getting that.”

“Oh, I get it, I do. But no matter what you think, Lev Kamenov will try and find you and kill you because that—putting you in the ground—that will restore his honor.”

“Not to anyone who matters,” I assured her. “I’ve already done the damage because of his failure. Mark my words, he’s on the run.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I’m betting the contract on his life is just as big as the one on mine.”

“Well, if he’s smart, he’ll pick some non-extradition country and take up farming because we don’t need him. You’re the one who knows where all the bodies are buried. Because of you, we know so much and learn more every day, going over your evidence. And the best part is, we still have you if we need our questions answered or for you to confirm our discoveries. Mr. Kamenov can be gunned down in the street and our ongoing investigation won’t suffer in the least. He’s of no consequence.”

“Very dramatic.”

“But true.”

I couldn’t argue. From a law-enforcement standpoint, Lev was merely another cog in the wheel, a thug to throw in jail and forget.

Something was still bothering me, and so I had to ask. Again. “You’re sure Pasha is safe?”

“From whom? Your father or us?”

“You. I know my father would never hurt him. That’s his legacy.”

“I can promise you that there is seriously nothing that links him to anything. Even your impeccable records don’t include him.”

He had been insulated for a reason. To not be tainted by any part of my father’s business. Now he could run the legitimate end without anyone having a claim on him. And of course, he would have law enforcement watching him for the rest of his life, which turned out to be great for him because he was squeaky clean. No one unscrupulous would ever go near him now that he was living his business life under a microscope. Everything had turned out for the best. I just had to die for it to happen.

My mind was drifting, and when she cleared her throat, I realized I’d been zoned out. “Yeah?”

“I’m going to say something to you, and I want you to listen.”

“Haven’t I been?” I goaded her.

“Stop with all the banter, and just hear me.”