Page 31 of Fight

“But what would I have given up?” I said.

“Exactly. That’s the reason I wouldn’t ask for money from anyone. My problems are my own. I will take care of them,” he said, certainty darkening his eyes.

Then he turned into a shopping center and reached into his pocket.

“Here. Go buy some things,” he said, shoving a wad of bills into my hand.

“What?” I asked, staring at him.

He nodded toward the distant building. “There are stores there. Go buy something.”

I shoved the money back at him. “No. I don’t want your money. I can take care of myself. Well, I will be able to. Eventually. But I don’t need your money.”

He sighed and then looked at me, exasperated. “P, get out of the car. I’ll be back in three hours,” he said.

I looked at him and then smiled, finally catching on.

“Oh! You need to go somewhere, and you don’t want me to ask where. Thought you could give me a couple bucks to keep me off your back,” I said, feeling a moment of intense relief. I would do what I could to avoid owing Ioan more, but this wasn’t that. He wanted to get rid of me, but was too polite to just tell me to fuck off. It was actually kind of endearing.

“Now she gets it,” he said, his handsome face breaking into a grin.

“Well, I’m not really one to turn down money, but you could just say so next time,” I said.

“Three hours,” he said.

I nodded and then got out of the car.

I watched as he drove off, feeling strangely adrift and forlorn. Despite everything, missing him even though he was barely gone.

It was just a reaction, I told myself. The reality of how close I had been to death, how much I still had to lose was one that continued to hit me, but when I was with Ioan, I didn’t feel those things.

I should have.

I knew exactly what he was, but even still, when I was with him, I felt the closest thing to safe I ever had.

Which was insane, but after all I had seen, I would not let myself question it right now. I already had enough on my plate.

Instead, I looked at the shopping center, frowning. Then I glanced at the money I held, and after a moment, my decision was made.

I looked at the center one last time and then began walking in the opposite direction.

Ioan

I hadn’t really wantedto leave P there at the shopping center alone, but she would be safe, and there was no fucking way I was taking her where I needed to go.

Wouldn’t put her in the same room with Markov ever again if I had a choice.

Myself either, but I didn’t have that choice because I needed to talk to him. I’d gotten Vasile’s permission, and through him would come Anton’s, but I still needed Markov’s, and there was no guarantee he’d go along with my plan.

So I’d have to play it straight, go to him seeking favor, and hope that his curiosity or perhaps his desire to ingratiate himself to Vasile would overcome any objections. If not that, maybe the money to be made would do it.

I stopped in front of Markov’s place, found it full even at this early hour.

I didn’t linger though, and instead pushed my way through the crowd and directly to the back where I knew Markov’s private rooms were.

One of his guards looked at me curiously but after a moment, opened the door to let me in.

Interesting, because I had been expecting a much chillier reception, but I would see what was to come.

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