Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Dimitry.
I try to pick it up, but my fingers feel numb. The phone falls to the floor, clattering.
The door flies open. Lanzo appears, eyes wide. He storms into the room, looking around like he’s searching for an attacker. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I say, heart racing up into my throat. “He’s calling again.”
His eyes narrow until he understands. He picks up the phone, pinching it between two fingers until it goes quiet. “Come on. Let’s plug it in.”
“Think he’ll leave a message?”
He snorts, not bothering to answer. His eyes flit over my body, staring at the towel wrapped around my chest, before storming out. That man can’t help himself. Even in the middle of a crisis, he still takes a second to look at me with that pure lust in his expression. It’s incredible.
I throw on sweats then follow. He’s in the living room, glaring at the windows. “I don’t want to answer,” I announce.
He looks over, lips pressed flat. “You don’t have to.”
“You can’t—” I stop myself. I was ready for an argument. “I don’t?”
“No, you don’t.”
“I thought this whole thing was contingent on me playing along.”
“This whole thing being the money I promised?” He shakes his head. “I need you to identify Burian, not insert yourself deeper into my mess. You’re not going to be bait.” He says that last bit like it’s something he thought about already.
I shiver, staring down at my hands. Is that what I am, bait for a killer Russian assassin? Feels like a movie. Except in the movies, everything’s so fast and exciting, whereas this feels slow and horrible.
“What will you do? If I don’t answer?”
“I’ll consider your cover blown and lock you down.” He shrugs as if that’s extremely reasonable.
“Lock me down?” I cock my head. “More than I already am?”
“You might need a few more layers of protection.”
I snort. “Hilarious coming from a man that doesn’t seem to understand the word protection.”
His eyes widen. “Was that a condom joke?”
“I guess it was. I’m nervous.” I pace back and forth. “What happens if I do take his call?”
“He’ll offer you another job.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“He will.” Lanzo angles himself toward me. “You don’t have to do it.”
“But it’ll help.” I stop walking. I close my eyes. “Panic doesn’t help, right?” He doesn’t answer. His brooding silence says more than he possibly could. I do one of the breathing exercises, four seconds in, four seconds hold, four seconds out, four seconds hold, like a square. When the phone starts ringing, I hold a hand out. “Give it to me.”
I walk over and he reluctantly puts it in my palm.
Stomach knotting, I hit accept. “Hello?”
“Hello, Ms. Renata.” Burian’s voice again. Sounding tired. “You performed your last task admirably.”
“It wasn’t particularly hard, Mr. Dimitry.” I stare up at the ceiling, willing myself to keep it together. I’ve been strong up to this point. Now isn’t the time to melt down. “I’m ready to take payment.”
“I’m sure you are.” He sounds amused. “But I have one final job.”
I groan. “You can’t keep doing this. Jerking me around. I just want my money, okay? I want to be done.”
He makes a clucking noise with his tongue. “Come on, Ms. Renata. You’ve been so wonderful, and you’re in far too deep to turn around now.” The threat in his words is clear, those his tone remains friendly.
“Dimitry—”
“One last job. It’s a simple job, like the last one.”
“That wasn’t simple.” I speak through my teeth, glancing at Lanzo. He’s busy typing away again. “I saw him. That man you sent me to. When he came out.”
Burian’s silent for a long moment. “And? How did he react?” He sounds hungry.
“He was unhappy. Very unhappy. What was in that box, Dimitry?”
Burian laughs. “I thought as much, considering the reply I got this morning. But please don’t concern yourself with any of this. One last job.”
“Fifty thousand.” I feel sick, naming a price. But this is what I have to do.
“Done.”
I rub my temple. “The fact that you’re not bothering to negotiate doesn’t bode well for me.”
“You could’ve gotten more.” He sounds pleased with himself. “I’ll send you directions shortly.”
“Wait. What am I going to—” But he hangs up. “Motherfucker.” I’m about to throw the phone but Lanzo stops me.
“You did good,” he says, voice gentle as he pries the phone from my grip.
“I hate that asshole.”
“Join the club.” He turns back to his laptop. “We’ll get him. I promise.”
“Last time,” I say, blinking back my tears. Forcing myself not to cry. “Okay? Understand? That was the last time.”
He pauses to look at me. There’s something sad in his expression. “Last time,” he agrees.
I turn and storm off. I don’t want to cry in front of him.
Chapter 22
Renata
Grandpop sounds happy to hear from me. “I don’t know how you did it, honey, but the nurse is coming full-time now. Can you believe that? She says they’re all paid up.”