Page 102 of Inferno

I twiddle my thumbs on my lap.

“Make sure he doesn’t hurt her, Drago. Please.”

“You have my word. I will do everything I can. Just like I have done her whole life. No matter what, you both are my family, even if not in blood. Remember, it’s just waiting for the right time. Everything will turn out okay in the end.”

I acknowledge with a nod.

It’s been ten fucking years of hell. I can wait longer if it means we’re finally free. I’m clever enough to know if I ran away with her, there isn’t a corner of the world I’d be safe. Even with Drago on my side.

Every bone in Vlad’s body is malicious. Evil.

I rub the welts on my wrists. You’d think after five years of being handcuffed to a bed to sleep at night, the skin would toughen.

That bitch still hurts.

Once I’m free, I’ll tattoo over the scars. And adding his flower to my tree will be the best one yet.

“You’ll be fine, kiddo. I trained you well. Keep focused. Breathe through the pain. You aren’t there to withstand the storm, Charlotte. You’re there to be the fucking storm.”

I take a deep breath to recite the most important mantra from our training.

“A fighter’s soul never weakens. Even if my body is beaten to the ground, my soul will stand tall.”

It doesn’t matter what they do to me. There is nothing that can battle the spirit of a mother protecting her child.

Five rooms. One golden ticket. One kill.

And then I come home and obliterate my husband’s empire.

Whatever gold mine this ticket leads me to, I’ll make damn sure it’s enough to get me and my daughter out safely.

I’ve played games for long enough.

Now I’m ready to fucking win.

“Remember. There’s no way out. Not if you want me to watch over Isabella. But I have a couple of people on standby nearby. Or did. I’ve lost contact with Igor.”

“What do I do? Send a fucking smoke signal?”

I can’t help but laugh. I know I’m walking in alone. It almost sends a thrill through me.

“No. I’ve got eyes in Pennsylvania, don’t you worry.”

I glare at him, my eyes burning with intensity.

It makes me wonder why an invitation was even extended to us. I’m not kept in the know of the business; I just fix their problems.

“Don’t overthink it. There is a plan, but the safest way is to just not fuck it up.”

I smack his arm.

“When have I ever fucked a job up? If I did, I wouldn’t be sitting in this car with you.”

Drago holds out his hand to me.

“Take off your necklace.”

My mouth drops open.

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