Page 28 of Deceitful Promises

Reaching into the glove box, I take out one of my burner phones, turn it on, and press the speed dial. Garry answers suspiciously quickly. “Hey, what’s cooking?” he says, and that’s when I know he’s been had. That’s been our code ever since we started. He’s never once started a conversation like that, but I’ve always known that it meant he’d been compromised if he did.

“Am I still good to pick up those speakers?”

“Sure. Swing by anytime.”

“See you soon.”

Ending the call, I throw the cell phone out the window.

“They got to my fixer,” I growl. “How thefuckwould they even know to look for him?”

“Probably something computer-related, knowing Mikhail,” Ania says, a note of pride in her voice. “Mila probably helped, too. They’re a hacking super squad. That’s terrible luck for you, huh?”

I glance at her. “You’re loving this, then?”

“Maybe I just like sayingI told you so.”

I grind my teeth, a bad habit, but I can’t stop thinking about how they would’ve done this. “Garry must’ve had a leak in his system, something identifying me. It’s the only way. Dammit, but that’s fine. I’ve got other spots, other places that Garry doesn’t know about.”

“What’s the point of keeping me now, though? Mom—Molly—doesn’t want me. So, who cares?”

I want to tell her I care. I want to tell her she’s staying because I need her to. However, this is one of those times when staying silent is the best option, so that’s what I do. She stares at me, then repeats the question, followed up with, “Well? You might as well drop me off at the next gas station and let me call them. There’s nothing for me here.”

I keep driving. Something strange is happening to me. There’s a drumming in my chest, and panic is coursing through me. Ishouldn’t panic like this or let my mind run ahead. Suddenly, though, I can’t imagine not being with Ania. What the fuck?

“That’s not happening,” I growl. “We’re going someplace safe to work out what’s going on.”

“Where?”

“My father’s penthouse. It’s a fortress.”

“Will M-Molly be there?”

I know why she hesitated. She was going to say, “Mom.” She can’t help herself. It’s because she wants and deserves a mother, and part of the hope that died a few hours ago is still inside her.

“Probably, but it’s a big place. You won’t have to see her if you don’t want to.”

“Good. I don’t.”

Another pouty fold of her arms, lips pursed, like she’s trying to convince herself she means what she just said. She seems so young as she stares at the road, so vulnerable, so inappropriate for me. Yet I want to keep her all the same, just for me.

CHAPTER 12

ANIA

Istand in the middle of the gym, doing simple balance drills. It’s been roughly thirty minutes since we arrived at this “penthouse.” It’s more like a fortress in the sky, with two big metal doors before entering the actual apartment. It reminds me a lot of the compound back home.

Aiden left me here, saying he was going to talk with his dad and that I should make myself comfortable.Thisis how I usually make myself comfortable, but I can’t focus. My mother is in here somewhere. My brothers burned down the lodge, or some men they hired did.

I wonder if I even want them to take me back. I wouldn’t say this aloud, especially not to Aiden, but I was almost relieved when he said he wasn’t letting me go. It’s cowardly but nice not to have to decide for myself. I can just be here, in this gym, like the studio back home.

After around forty minutes, I sit on one of the benches, looking at myself in the mirror. Wicked thoughts try to tell me I’m ugly and gross, but then something magical happens. I hear Aiden instead, whispering things he’d never say in real life.

You’re beautiful. You’re angelic. You’re perfect.

I jump up when somebody knocks on the door.

“It’s me,” Aiden calls.

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