Page 25 of Caged

After thirty, he drops to the mat and slaps his hands together. “Fine. You can be on days. I’ll have Jax set up for nights for a while with Alexei.” His thick finger points at me menacingly. “She could be dangerous. Tread carefully.”

ELEVEN

MILA

Three days he’s been leaving me to sit here in this boring, bland house alone.

I don’t feel any closer to him, or the diamonds, than I did when I was in the icy forests of Siberia.

Nikolai is a frost giant, keeping me at a distance. He’s polite almost to a fault, and it’s driving me crazy.

Partially, because I need to gain his trust. But, he’s also built like a bull, and I’m starting to wonder how fun that ride would be.

I’m sick of crying. So, last night I asked him if he could pick me up a few groceries to try my hand at cooking.

Someone said that the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

I know this isn’t true. It’s between the second and third rib.

Hmm, I suppose poisoning can be fairly short, too.

Nikolai won’t be back until dark, so now is my chance to contact Tyler.

The tracker I have hidden in my shoe led him to my position, so he was able to put a cell in the spot we both agreed on ahead of time.

Ten paces outside of the front door, then turn left. Three paces, and there would be a rock.

Just as we planned.

It’s one of those plastic landscaping accents that are hollow. A perfect spot to stash a phone.

He remembered the charger cord this time.

That almost cost me a foot in Moscow when my battery ran out as I was trying to escape.

He barely picks up.

“Have you heard any more about Daniil?” I blurt out before he answers.

Tyler lets out a long sigh. “Yes. He’s lost his other pinky.”

My stomach rolls.

“But.” He’s quick to add. “Nothing else. I asked them if they wanted you to complete the mission, or fuck it up because you’re hurrying. I think they got the picture.”

That’s a small relief.

“Good. I hope that buys some time. This mark is like a mountain. I am chipping away with a spoon to get to him.”

Tyler chuckles. “How is that possible? You’d think most men would jump at the chance?”

“Nikolai is not ‘most men’. I’m not even sure he’s human.”

Maybe I need to get him drunk.

“Then what’s your plan?” Tyler prods.

“I’m going to make stroganoff.” This will be my first attempt. The cooking show I found on the television made it look easy.

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