Page 28 of Vitaly

He’d kill a harmless girl for writing some names on a paper for the guy with the gun?

I consider this, scrolling through the contacts thinking about how I could avoid that, when I land on a name I recognize well. But not the name of a friend.

Roman McCall.

Another man who will want me dead.

Who would want mealive?

I wrack my brain for someone,anyonefrom my past who might stand by me, but the only person I can think of is Alik. The underboss who isn’t an option.

I hand the phone to Felicity. “Click on a name. Nikita won’t know you did it.”

She looks uncertain but takes the phone and scrolls through the contacts only a moment before hitting a name I don’t recognize.

I put the phone to my ear and prepare to ignite a flame that won’t be easily put out. I hope Nikita’s up to the challenge.

Because I’ll see him soon.

9

MILA

The sinking feeling in my gut that came over me when we pulled up to the vacant cabin never left. It’s stayed with me, reminding me that every moment could be my last.

But more than that, I get this feeling that something terribly awful is about to happen that goes beyond my puny existence. The feeling that everything is about to change. For those left alive, today will be known asbefore, and tomorrowafter.

Vitaly Petrov is not a man. He is chaos incarnate.

The grounds of the Petrov mansion are ghostly, not a single guard or soldier in sight despite the line of vehicles in the circle drive. If he killed everyone, he moved the bodies. If they managed to kill him first… Well, we would’ve heard about it.

Nikita and Alik draw their guns, and we reenact our skit at the manor—me taking up the lead through the mansion, unarmed and vulnerable.

I hear nothing. See nothing. And this time, I don’t call Vitaly’s name. There isn’t any question that he’s here.

“What is that?” Alik whispers, stopping me in my tracks. I look back to see him staring off, perked up like he’s a dog with an extra sense.

Then I hear it too.

A voice.

Maybe more than one.

I whip back to the hall and creep ahead, listening for the noise. I feel like a greyhound on the hunt with my head poked forward as if that can help my hearing. Soon, the noise grows louder, and soon it becomes obvious where it’s coming from.

The conference room.

My pace quickens as my heart does. When I reach the doors, I have no idea what outcome I’m hoping for. I don’t stop to think. I throw open the door with a burst of adrenaline, expecting bullets to fly from behind me, but when Vitaly—leaned back in Nikita’s chair with his feet kicked up on the table—smiles at me, I know he’s won. I don’t know how, but he’s won.

Eight or so lieutenants are slouched in their chairs with residual smiles on their faces, like they were talking anything but business in here. But as soon as they spot Nikita, most sit up straight and lower their lips.

Nikita steps around me, his gun lowered. Rage comes off him in waves, but he doesn’t shoot. Doesn’t even aim his gun although Vitaly isright there, smug as hell in Nikita’s chair.

What is Nikita doing?

“Uncle,” Vitaly greets warmly, his arms spreading as he smiles. “At last. I thought you’d never show.”

Nikita waves a hand around at the lieutenants. “What is this?”

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