Page 22 of One For my Enemy

LEV:I want to know

LEV:EVERYTHING about this

LEV:like, is there a club for thieves? can I join

LEV:what are the initiation rites

LEV:blood oaths? yes or no

LEV:is there a monthly fee

LEV:do you host networking events?

LEV:do you have an alter ego

LEV:oh, do you wear a mask?

LEV:please tell me you wear a mask

SASHA:stop talking immediately

LEV:you’re right, I should save these winning conversation topics for later

LEV:see you tonight

Sasha smiled, and then immediately frowned. It wasn’t as if this was going to be anything. Who was he, after all? She didn’t even know his last name. Not that she intended for such things to matter.

“SASHA,” Galina yelled. “DO YOU HAVE THAT TEAL SKIRT?”

“It’s going to look awful with the red sweater,” Sasha yelled back.

“WHAT RED SWEATER?” Galina shouted.

Sasha sighed again.

SASHA:see you then

II. 4

(Moral Ponderings.)

“Well?”

“Jesus,” Lev exhaled sharply, jumping at the sound of Roman’s voice. “Could you be less stealthy, please?”

“Listen Casanova, if you’re done wooing the Antonova girl for the moment, I need you to deliver this,” Roman returned, dismissing Lev’s opposition to his presence and passing him a thin, packaged box. “Word of advice, though—don’t open it.”

“Cursed, I suppose?” Lev guessed, and Roman gave him one of his muted, scorpion smiles. “Is it a gift or a threat?”

“Do you really want to know?”

Lev sighed.

“Fine. Where’s it going?”

“Upper East Side. Address is on the label.”

Lev glanced at it. “Isn’t this that witch who tried haggling with Papa’s people last week?”

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