Page 94 of The Game

She shrugs.

“Look, it’s pointless you not telling me. I have a friend who can hack into anywhere, so we could work it out. But it would save us both a lot of time if you’d just tell me.”

She sighs. “Hang on,” she says, and disappears into the kitchen returning with her phone in her hand. Her fingers fly over the screen as she mutters to herself in Russian, and it isn’t nearly as hot as when Anna does it. Am I bad for wishing Fabian was here so he could translate.

She grunts. “Anna says she’ll message you later.”

Message me later? And where the hell is she? Is this why Anna didn’t respond to my messages?Goddammit, Anna.Perhaps I should try a different tack. “How about a cup of coffee?” I say, still rubbing Pepper who’s now wedged between my legs, body vibrating as she wags her tail.

Mila narrows her eyes at me and walks toward the kitchen. The sound of the coffee maker grinding beans starts up, so I follow her, Pepper trotting atmy heels.

“You’re a tennis player, too, aren’t you?” I say, and she nods.

Then she grins. “Anna and I are big rivals.” She shrugs. “But we have known each other a long time. We are with one another at all the tournaments, so we are friends, too.”

“Are you based in Manhattan?”

“No. I got here from Spain four weeks ago. Anna and I train together when we can, although we are both too competitive. I like the US. It is more tolerant than most places.”

“You trained through the academy system in Russia like Anna, didn’t you?”

Her face closes off. How much has Anna said to her about what Fabian has found out? Would she expect Anna to have talked to me about the academies? She must know Anna and I are friends and maybe more from all the media coverage. Perhaps Fabian’s strategy of a bit of manipulation would help here.

I shake my head. “Still can’t believe that happens,” I say.

Her eyes narrow. “What happens?”

“Konstantin. The sponsors?”

Her hands ball up at her sides. “Anna told you about that?” She sounds astonished. Angry. But it’s also a confirmation of a sort.

But I’m not a liar, and I don’t want to lie to Mila. “Where has Anna gone, Mila?” I say more insistently.

She chews her lip as she stares at me. Then she goes to the fridge and takes out the milk.

“Mila …”

“Russia,” she says.

And my stomach takes off in panic.Shit. Shit.Fabianexplicitlyasked her not to do that.Fuck, Anna, what are you doing?

“For any particular reason?” I say through clenched teeth.

“Konstantin asked her to coach at a tennis tournament.” She licks her lips. “He’s supported us for a long time. We both owe him.”

They bothowehim? Is she mad? He’s an extremely dangerous man. She turns and starts another cup of coffee at the machine.

I will myself to calm down. “Is this tournament like all the other competitions the academy organizes?” I say, and even to me my voice sounds strained.

But now she just looks confused. “What do you mean?”

“I thought it was an opportunity for sponsors to be more ‘involved’ with those they are sponsoring?” I make air quotes around the word.

She rounds on me furiously. “They are proper contests!”

“I’m sure they are.”

She huffs out a long breath.

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