Page 135 of Crave

There’s no chance that will happen. It’s too important that I get back home. Whatever little errand Tatiana has for me won’t take long.

I’ll make sure of it.

But just in case I don’t make it, I need to ask him a favor. “Tell Lara, I love her and I’ll be back for her.”

“Excuse me?” His head whips around, then back to his instruments.

“I’m doing this for her. Don’t ask questions, don’t give her shit, just look after my girl.”

“Alexei, are you high? You never worry about failure.” His hand waves out to emphasize his point.

My chest hurts knowing I may never see her again. “No. I’m in love with her, Mikhail. Obsessively, deeply, madly, I’ll die for her. Fuck, I might not make it out of here.”

There’s a pause before he replies. “What aren’t you telling me? What did you do?”

I chew on my lip watching the ground move so far beneath us. “What I had to. I have to keep her safe.”

“What is Tatiana making you do?” Anger seeps out of Mikhail’s mic.

“Not a clue.” I laugh. “But I’ll figure this shit out.”

“Motherfucker.”

“Just go, Ivan can’t get to you. Keep Lara safe. Trust me for once? I’m not as dumb as you think. Not when it comes to her.” I pull off the headset, hang it on the hook by the door, and jump.

A series of cryptic texts have led me to this tiny town on the edge of a forest. Frost eats into the edges of the windshield on this piece of shit car I stole.

Why can’t they have a decent heater? Who owns a vehicle in Russia without a way to stay warm?

I did them a favor. Maybe now they will get something better.

What does that flimsy plastic sign say? Carnival?

Sure. Might as well find something sweet to eat while I wait on the next message telling me where to go.

I pull this crappy sedan onto a grassy field where everyone else is parked. The plants have a thin layer of frost on them that’s been trampled away by the many footsteps leading towards the festivities.

But the smell of pastries and fried foods draws me. It makes me miss Lara.

She should be here with me to experience the fair. The sights and sounds.

To eat all of the delicious treats that there are to indulge in.

If she would.

Was what Sofia said true? That what Lara does isn’t normal? I hope not.

Winding my way through the bundled crowds, I dodge kids weaving between legs and young couples kissing by the game booths.

I’m jealous. It should be us darting behind the action.

When I’m standing in line for a pile of cookies, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Unknown

He’s wearing a blue parka carrying a pink butterfly

What?

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