Page 134 of Mafia King’s Dangerous Vow

I make myself breathe.

“You are revolting,” I say quietly.

“No,” he says. “I am realistic.”

My hand tightens in my lap. “What do you want from me?”

“You will keep listening.”

“To Aleksander.”

“To Aleksander. To Igor. To anyone who forgets you are in the room.”

“And if I do?”

“Then I will give you more.”

“Photographs?”

“Perhaps.”

“A meeting?”

“If you prove you can be patient.”

“And if I don’t?”

The warmth leaves his face. “Then you will never see Ivan.”

A fact placed between us like a knife. I make myself go pale because that’s what he expects. I make myself look down because that’s what he wants. I let him believe he has found the leash and tightened it.

Inside, the truth remains locked and bright.

I have seen him.

I know where he is.

You are already too late.

32

YOU SOUND LIKE A HUSBAND. (ALEKSANDER)

David Kalinin arrives at my office at eleven-thirty-seven. Yuri calls from downstairs. “He’s here.”

“Alone?”

“Two men in the lobby. Neither armed where I can see it.”

“With Kalinin, that only means they dressed carefully.”

A pause. “Do you want me in the room?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

No.