Page 60 of By the Time You Read This

“You don’t have to leave,” St. Ivany said. She hadn’t moved, but for some reason Raisa pulled the computer closer to her belly to protect it.

“I better ...” Raisa gestured over her shoulder before bending to gather her stuff. She wasn’t being as careful as she could with it, but all she could think was that she had to get outnow.

“You’re not telling me something,” St. Ivany said, eyes narrowed. There was anger there ... and something else Raisa couldn’t read.

Raisa shook her head, backing away until she hit the door.

“You should lock this behind me,” she called out, before stepping into the cool night air.

Maybe it was stupid to choose the dark and what waited there. In the light of day, she would probably find her own actions silly. After all, there was no reason to protect Delaney—if that was even what she was doing.

But, right now, she would take her chances with the shadows.

Chapter Nineteen

Raisa

Day Three

When Raisa woke after a few hours of sleep following her flight from Maeve St. Ivany’s house, she had three missed texts from the woman making sure she’d gotten home safe.

She sent back a quick reply and then called the hospital.

“He’s stable, but still hasn’t woken up yet,” the nurse on duty informed her, and Raisa gritted out a “thank you.”

She dropped back on the pillow and stared at a crack in the ceiling.

Had it been Delaney behind the wheel?

That was hard to imagine. Kilkenny had been the one to fight for her. He’d worked with her for years—maybe without ever knowing her name. But still, it had led to a loyalty that Raisa personally thought Delaney didn’t deserve.

There had also been something meaningful that had happened between the two of them on that night Raisa had been shot. Kilkenny had glossed over their interaction when he’d found Delaney at the library, trying to destroy a picture of their family before Kilkenny could realize who she was.

But Raisa had always sensed there was more to it. A bond that had formed that couldn’t be broken even by Delaney’s bad behavior.

She wondered now how bad that behavior could get.

Before, Raisa tolerated Delaney because she’d never actually killed anyone.

Now she wondered if Isabel might have forced Delaney’s hand.

I won’t do it, I won’t do it. You can’t make me.

Raisa pressed her eyes shut.

She was leaping to conclusions again. Sometimes, though, that was a necessary part of an investigation. People who were able to see patterns often became agents or detectives. Just like with conspiracy theories, it could lead someone astray. But the skill itself wasn’t a detriment.

So she let herself walk down that path.

Isabel wanted Delaney todosomething. Kill someone? Maybe the protégé?

She’d threatened Delaney with a high price—death, perhaps. Of herself or Raisa. Or even Kilkenny.

Something that Delaney couldn’t shrug off and give up like it was nothing.

That would be the ultimate power trip for Isabel, wouldn’t it? Getting Delaney to kill for her?

Raisa’s phone rang. She almost ignored it, but then realized who was calling.

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