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Code's expression hardened. "He said if your blackmail leads investigators to the technology, to Viktor's involvement, then you become a liability."

My stomach sank and I felt nauseous. "A liability that needs to be eliminated."

"Yes."

The word sat between us, cold and final.

"So, things just got worse."

"Significantly worse."

"What about everyone else? Angelica, Jase's family?"

“They have no connection to the technology or to Viktor. They're not on his radar."

"But you are." The realization hit me hard. "You killed one of his men tonight. You're absolutely on his radar now."

"I've been on Russian radar for years. This isn't new."

"It's new to me." I opened the freezer and found ice trays. I dumped the ice cubes into a kitchen towel. "Sit down." I pointed to the couch.

"Katherine, I'm fine."

"You have a bruise the size of a softball on your face. Sit down."

We walked to the couch. Sophie moved to a recliner and Code and I sat. I pressed the ice against his jaw as gently as I could. He hissed but didn't pull away.

"Tell us the rest. How did you get away before the police came?"

"We’d parked far away, and went out the back. Krause went to an off-the-books medic he knows. I came to get you."

"Is Krause okay?"

"He'll be fine. He's had worse."

I moved the ice to the cut above his eyebrow. "And you? What else are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Code."

"I'm fine, Katherine."

I looked him over. He held his shoulders tensely and breathed too carefully. He'd winced getting out of the car and held his arm across his torso all the way down the street.

Sophie stood up. “I need to lay down. My head is killing me. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. I can hardly blame you.” I grabbed my purse. “Do you need aspirin?”

“No. Thank you, but I have migraine medicine in my purse.” She opened it and rummaged around. “I’ll take this and be out like a light.” She pulled out a prescription bottle and looked at Code. “Thank you for keeping me safe. I’m sorry my brother…” she trailed off.

“It’s not on you, Sophie,” Code said his voice softening.

She nodded and tried at a smile. Then she turned and headed for one of the bedrooms.

As soon as she closed the door behind her, I turned to Code. "Take off your shirt."

His eyebrows rose. "What?"