Page 77 of Vitaly

Alik doesn’t answer.

I wave to the computer as an exasperated breath shoots past my lips. “What is the point in showing me this if you’re just going to get me killed anyway?”

“I’m trying tohelpyou.”

“Help me?” I huff, shaking my head. “If you wanted to help me, you could choose not to tell Nikita what you saw. He’d never know otherwise.”

“I’d be risking myself,” Alik snaps. “Don’t ask me to do that.”

“You’re already risking yourself. You’re telling me to lie to the Pakhan.”

“I’m giving you a chance to make this right.”

“You’re giving me a chance to throw Vitaly under the bus!” My fists clench as my shoulders square. I lean toward Alik, defensiveness thickening my spine.

Alik steps close to tower over me as he points to the computer screen. “And if Vitaly could see what I just showed you, do you think there’s any place he’d rather be thanunder the bus?”

We stare at each other, daring the other to blink. It doesn’t make sense why he brought me here. Or why he didn’t tell Nikita about that night at the lake. Or why I’m not deadright now.

“Why are you trying so hard to help me?” I ask, my voice softer. “We aren’t friends, Alik.”

He remains quiet, and I don’t see any churning behind his eyes. He isn’t thinking through my question. He already knows his answer.

I didn’t know Vitaly before recently, but I do know Alik. I know what motivates him. Who his people are. What he’s capable of. He’s sneaky. I would never put it past him to have some sort of hidden agenda, so this whole time I’ve been assuming there’s some self-serving reason for his actions.

But as I stare into his eyes now, it becomes obvious. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before, even when Vitaly was trying to shove it in my face.

“Youaren’ttrying to help me,” I say, the realization coming out with a sigh. “You’re trying to help Vitaly.”

Again, he doesn’t respond. But he doesn’t have to. A loud knock comes from the front door that draws both of our attention away.

When he leaves the room, I don’t follow behind. It would obviously be too dangerous.

I walk to the cracked door and put my ear to it, listening as closely as I can.

21

VITALY

Alik’s eyes widen for only a fraction of a second before he schools himself and stares at me,bored, with one hand on the door jamb.

Some people carry scars that are difficult to look away from, but for Alik, it’s impossible. I wouldn’t be a man if I looked away from the red of his eye, but it’s unsettling nonetheless.

“What do you want?” he spits, staring at me with such an ambivalent chill, I question if this was a mistake.

“To talk.” I nod past him. “Can I come in?”

“No.”

My lips tug as I huff and shove him out of the way. I stroll inside, letting my gaze roam the modern room with paintings and framed drawings lining the walls. “This is a nice place. You’ve done well for yourself.”

Alik shuts the door, not quite a slam but certainly forcefully, and breathes out a low growl.

“Is this your wife’s doing?” I ask, pointing to the pictures on the walls.

“Don’t you fuckingdaretalk about her.”

I turn back to Alik who’s coming toward me like he’s prepared for murder. That red eye blazes.

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