Page 104 of Caged

We just have to live long enough to get there.

Meeting behind an abandoned church is great for keeping from being seen, but it makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up seeing the eroded statues leering at us from the back steps.

Footsteps and the breaking sound of a twig makes us turn to look down the dark path leading into the woods behind us.

Tatiana’s consort, the well dressed man that was with her, steps from the shadows like a villain from an old black and white movie.

“I’m Dimitri, and was sent here to collect the USB device.” He speaks low enough I can barely hear him.

My stomach flip flops. “I was told to give this to her, and only her.”

Tatiana was bitingly clear with that requirement.

He holds out a black-gloved hand. “She isn’t here. This is part of the new deal you made. If you want help with your little—” He waves in a circle. “—escapade, then she needs that information beforehand.”

“Mila. Give it to him.” Tyler whines softly from behind me.

Pussy.

Dimitri’s brows raise slightly as he glances between us. “So, it’s here.” He pulls out a silenced pistol from his waist. “I’m running out of patience. Now your choice is with, or without a bullet in you.”

“Tyler. This is why you never get a girlfriend,” I grit as I pull the tiny object out of my sleeve.

The pale faced man snatches it out of my grasp and slides it behind his lapel. “You made the smart choice.” Turning on his heel, he walks toward the woods where he appeared.

“Hey!” I yell after him. “When will our help get here?”

“I’ll have Tatiana call you.” He doesn’t turn his head before he slips into the shadows.

Creepy fucker.

My anger replaces the fear as I spin toward Ty. “What the hell?” My arms fly out before my palms slap against my hips.

“He had a gun, Mila.” He shrugs his shoulders.

“So do we, asshole! We have no way of knowing if they’re holding up their end of the deal. He took our bargaining chip. That’s the only thing she wanted.” I slump onto an eroded gravestone and bury my face in my hands.

I have nothing left.

“Daniil might be dead already. We don’t need to join him.” Ty moves like he’s about to pat me on the head.

He’s made me so mad, I lash out and punch him in the groin.

With a groan, he lurches backward and falls to his knees. “What the fuck?” he grunts. Grabbing his crotch, he rolls onto his side and pulls his knees up to his chest.

After a while, he crawls to sit in a sulky silence.

I stare at my phone, waiting for Tatiana to return my calls and texts.

The blank screen pisses me off.

My last message sits unread.

I’m going in tonight, with or without your help. But, you won’t get any diamonds if I’m dead.

Is that enough to convince her?

Time will tell.

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