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Iris: You know, you were a lot nicer when you wanted to screw me.

X: I don’t know you, Iris. I know you’re brave and you have a strong sense of right and wrong. I know you care and you’re capable. But we’re anonymous for a reason.

Iris: So you just wanted to be my friend?

I mean it cynically, doubtful, but the tone doesn’t come through on text alone.

X: We can be friends. But I thought you wanted to keep things professional.

Iris: Maybe I’m the one who wants to fuck you.

I type, but then I delete it. It’s the truth. I knew that the second he grabbed my leg earlier. But he won’t betray me with Iris, even if I’m the same person. Would he? I don’t want to find out. And wait, hold up. It wouldn’t even be a betrayal. We’re not in a relationship or anything to being with.

I need to slow down.

Iris: Let me know when he’s safe.

X: You’ve got a good heart, Iris. But I’m not promising anything.

CHAPTER 10

NIKOLAI

“Are you sure this is the place?” I ask.

Anton and I sit across from a roadside motel north of Miami. It’s not modern, but it’s not falling apart either. It’s the sort of nondescript place that makes a good hideout. The only downside is that it’s remote, with open ground on three sides and just the parking lot on the fourth. Easy to sneak up on.

“This is the place,” Anton says.

“You can tell Owen isn’t one of us. This place is waiting for an ambush. How’d you find him?”

“This is the place.”

“Humor me.”

“He’s moved around, but he’s not changed cars in a week. A Volkov contact traced the car to this location.”

“We’ve got sway everywhere, then,” I say. “Maksim will be happy.”

“This much.” Anton gestures with his fingers. “Enough for cameras, but not enough for war.”

“Let’s get this done,” I say. The moon and stars are bright tonight, and the motel is quiet. “It’s dark enough. If we found him, Cordero men could too.”

“What’s the plan for after?” Anton asks.

“We take him to the apartment building we purchased, put him in one of the empties, off the books.”

“Why?”

To keep him safe, I almost say, but the answer would sound absurd to Anton. That’s Iris trying to speak through me. As a friend, I can admit she’s got a way of getting me in my most sensitive spots. She knows how to tickle that goddamn hero complex of mine. Just like Serena, when I offered her a whole-ass car because hers had broken down. Who do I think I am?

“You’re asking too many questions,” I grunt. “Let’s go.”

He smiles thinly as we climb from the car. “He might panic,” I tell Anton. “Be ready.”

We approach the motel room from the front. Anton stands beside the door as I hammer on it. “Owen Price? This is federal agent Steve Hawthorne. Open up for your own safety. The Marlin's has your location and⁠—”

He actually swings the door wide open and stares up at me, red-faced and terrified. He’s a small man with thick horn-rimmed glasses and glossy skin. I push my way inside. Anton follows and shuts the door. Owen opens his mouth to scream when he sees Anton’s gun.