Page 28 of Refrain

So much for his omniscient reputation.

“Well, I don’t,” I admit. “Someone…someone got me out before I saw much.”

“Oh?” His eyes narrow in a silent demand for more.

“A man,” I add. “I don’t know who he is or who he works for.”

“His name?”

My mouth opens, but this time, the words stick in my throat. A baby-faced angel may run with street thugs like Vlad, but he’s no match for a man like Ivan Ivanov.

Neither am I.

“Did you hear me?” His voice lowers in warning. “Ksenia…”

After a sharp intake of air, I spill the rest. “He said his name was Espi. Espisido.”

Ivan frowns, mulling the name over. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until he sighs and my lungs contract in response.

“Never heard of him.”

Is that more relief flooding my veins? Whatever it is drains the energy I have left. My hand flies out against the wall for balance, but my outstretched fingers miss the frame of a hanging photograph by inches—a much younger Ivan grinning beside an even younger Vlad. I flinch at the reminder and tear my gaze away. In the process, I find myself staring down at my arm. Only a few tiny stitches are visible beneath the sleeve of my borrowed shirt and sweater. The artist wasn’t exaggerating his talents, considering they’ve held this far, at least.

“Whoever he is, I don’t think he’s part of the Syndicate.” It feels important to say that, conveying an underlying message I’m not brave enough to say directly—He’s no one. Leave him alone.

“Hmph. I’ll look into it.”

“I didn’t tell him much,” I add. “Just enough to keep him from asking too many questions.”

“Too many questions.” Ivan laughs.

He’s in front of me in an instant, and I don’t even see the slap coming. It’s sharp, stinging, but he hooks his meaty palm beneath my chin and forces my gaze up to meet his as my eyes water. The concern I see there is more painful to endure. I don’t deserve it.

“You need tofocus, little girl,” he insists, his accent thickening over each word. “I promised your father I’d look after you. After everything… I’ve done what I could. I even humored your little bid to join the pigs.” He spits the word out and releases me to sway on my feet. “All you had to do was stay away from here. Especially from Vladimir and Piotr. I risked my fucking neck enough helping you the first time—”

“I think I saw Anna.”

He recoils. A part of me wants to take his reaction as a good sign, but it’s a hollow comfort. His alarm quickly gives way to a terrible expression that takes the form of a frown. Pity.

“Ksenia.” He sighs heavily, shaking his head. “Sothatis why you came back—”

“I saw her,” I insist. My fingers fly to my chest, but my proof is gone, burned to ash along with Vlad. “Idid. In the international database. A girl who had been detained here a few weeks ago. She had her eyes.” That beautiful, haunting navy.

“So that’s why you joined the pigs,” he says, seeing through my lies in advance. “To keep looking? Tell me you’re not that stupid.”

“It’s her,” I say. “I know it’s her—”

“She’s dead,” Ivan says. Not brutally or harshly. Just firmly—as if he’s told himself the same two words enough times to believethem. I can stomach his anger, not his pain. “You know if she weren’t I would be the first to get her out.”

But he couldn’t. Only I can. With my newfound strength, my resources with the police, andmyinstincts. That is how I’ve rationalized it all this time. Anna is still out there, somewhere. Waiting for me.

“She’s gone,” Ivan says softly. “She’s gone, Ksei, and you were reckless to come here. Especially after Vlad.”

Does he know the fate of his friend? His frown reveals little, and I can’t bring myself to ask. He has a good point, drawing my attention to my current dilemma.

“I said I needed your help,” I start, swallowing hard. “There’s a van, looking for a girl. I need you to call it off—”

“Call it off?” Ivan raises an eyebrow, and I cringe in anticipation of another slap. One doesn’t come, however, just a heavy sigh. “What the hell have you gotten yourself into now? If anyone saw you come here,” he adds, “it will be my ass on the line.”

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