Page 101 of Unhinged

Despite everything, I feel a small smile tug at my lips. “I think you accidentally made an entire loaf.”

“Maybe.” He gives me a look. “Are you gonna eat or just keep running your mouth?”

To appease him, I take a few more bites. It’s actually really good. I pick up the water he gave me, pausing when I notice the pink tint. I narrow my eyes. “What’d you do to the water?”

“Electrolytes.” He says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. I take a sip, shaking my head. “You reallydon’thalf-ass anything, do you?”

He smirks. “Not when it comes to you.”

"And the bathroom is filled with… supplies and stuff." The tips of his ears turn pink.

If I wasn’t already falling for this man before, this might have done me in.

"I just got off the phone with Rafail and then Zoya."

That catches my attention. "Zoya? What’s going on?"

"Oh, she was the one who helped me decide what you needed. Polina had to go somewhere with Rafail, but Zoya told me what food to cook and what supplies to get."

I nod. "I’d really like to get to know Zoya better. Seriously, can you please eat some of this food with me?"

He sits down, dutifully picks up a slice of toast, and takes a bite, locking eyes with me like it’s some kind of serious business negotiation.

"O’Rourke warned us about Interpol," he says between bites. "They’re breathing down our necks. They’re working with the Russian authorities, and they’re looking for you."

I shrug, rolling my eyes. "I figured they would eventually."

He gives me a sharp look. "Oh shit. Seriously?"

I nod. "Of course. It was only a matter of time."

His jaw tightens. "Yeah, and the Irish won’t cover for you. The only reason they’re not cooperating with Interpol is because they fucking hate them and formed an alliance with us."

That part surprises me.

"So I take it you and Rafail aren’t too keen on the idea of me running again?"

I can’t quite keep the petulance out of my voice.

I don’t like feeling like a caged bird.

But I’m so damn tired of running.

"Do you and Rafail have a plan?" I ask curiously.

I take another bite of fruit, then more eggs, chasing it down with the pink electrolyte drink. It’s actually pretty good.

My plan has always been to run.

Run from my father.

Run from Rafail.

Run from Matvei when I was being chased.

But what other options do I have if running isn’t one of them?

Matvei watches me carefully. "For now, Interpol believes you’re still in London. They have no idea that you’re here with me."

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