Page 8 of Crave

“Mikhail, your plane needs internet.”Waving my useless cell above my head doesn’t make a signal magically appear.

He and Nikolai are like two giant boulders that have been deep in conversation for most of the flight home. I’ve heard it all, but don’t care.

None of it really pertains to me. Or Lara.

Those are my only concerns. Well, and my pet flamingo, Sheila. But the neighbor is taking care of her while I’m gone.

I hope she’s eaten her fish. It’s good for her, keeps her strong and pink.

“Alexei, we’re touching down soon. You can go back to searching porn,” Nikolai grumbles as he steps past me, heading towards the rear of the jet.

“I’m not!” I protest. I’m checking my house camera to make sure Sheila is safe.

Mila stands up to greet him, and he gives her a kiss before they sit.

I noticed they did the same when they were rescued from Ivan.

As soon as the plane touches down, I watch the little waves on my phone screen until they show a connection.

Me

We’re back

Lara

I’m glad. Everyone okay?

Me

I guess. Niki and Miki just talked. Don’t tell Miki I called him that.

Lara

I never do.

My black BMW is still sitting where I parked it in Mikhail’s casino garage. I’m itching to get away from everyone else and feel the wind on my face again.

When Lara gets done dropping off Elena, I’ll need to see her.

She gets stressed when things change. Having Elena is one, and sending her home is another.

Yes. I’ll check on her next.

Fuck, this feels good to ride. My toes slide to the tips of the pegs and I wedge the gas can between my knees so I can stand and stretch, throwing my arms out as I weave between the traffic with no hands.

Seeing their faces is the best part.

It’s easy to tell their emotions when they’re mouths are hanging open and their eyebrows are raised to their hair.

Except that one. Why is that girl smiling and curling her finger at me like that?

When I wave, it throws me off balance enough that the tires wobble beneath me and I swerve in front of a big truck.

He slams on his brakes, but I move out of his path.

The sound of steel crunching follows me.

Too bad I’m already gone.

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