I ONLY COME out after changing back into my clothes and doing my makeup. Now, I understand why Old Reina needed to do that whenever she went out. I didn’t like being put under the spotlight if I didn’t have some sort of shield. My perfect face and appearance were it.
It was a defense mechanism to hide my true feelings. I was a pro at that.
Detective Daniels waits for me with two buff officers wearing hats near the door. He’s had a smug grin on his face since he revealed the arrest warrant.
Perspiration coats my skin as one bleak thought after another barges into my mind. What if they actually found Reina’s body?
No. Alex said his guy sent him a text after that night saying she was safe.
My sister is a fighter; she wouldn’t just die.
Asher paces the length of the room, a phone to his ear. “Pick the fuck up, Alexander.”
“It’s okay.” I place a hand on his arm, forcing him to stop. “Go find him at the firm. He’s probably in a meeting.”
Still clutching the phone, he palms both my cheeks and tugs up so I’m staring straight at his pained eyes. “I’ll get you out of there. I promise.”
My limbs start to shake as if about to give up on me. If he keeps touching me, I’ll surrender to all those gloomy thoughts and break.
I can’t do that when I have to find my sister.
I try to wiggle away from his touch but he pins me in place, the forest green color of his eyes turning somber. “Are you running away from me, prom queen?”
“No.” Yes.
“You can’t leave me, not anymore.” His lips brush against mine in a brief, heartbreaking kiss. “You’re my world now.”
Tears well in my eyes, and I wrench myself from him before I start crying.
I can’t do that. Not now.
I stride toward the detective and the officers. My heart begs for one last glance at Asher, but I deny that request. I need to be strong for this, and I can’t do that if I keep thinking about Asher’s last words.
As soon as I’m in front of them, Detective Daniels tells me I’m under arrest for murder and reads me my rights, then he leans in to whisper, “I told you I’d get you.”
My expression doesn’t change, but my pulse rises at the contempt in his tone.
I walk with them down the hall and through the lobby where people stare at me all the way. Gaige runs toward me with a frown etched between his brows, but I stop him. “It’s okay, just try to reach Alex.”
He gives a sharp nod and retrieves his phone. My only option is to remain silent until Alex shows up. I’m sure he’ll be able to shut the detective down like before, that is if they didn’t really find a body.
The officers don’t say a word. They’re bulky with tattoos sneaking down their sleeves. One has an untamed beard and the other has a permanent sneer. Is that a scar over his jaw?
One of the officers takes the wheel as the other one opens the back door. Daniels retrieves cuffs and tries to restrain me.
I pull my hands free. “I didn’t resist arrest—there’s no need for those.”
“I’m the one who decides whether you resisted or not,” he snarls then snaps the handcuffs on my wrists.
I gulp at the feeling of being handled like a criminal. I hate this. The detective shoves me inside so I’m sandwiched between him and the other officer.
The pungent smell of coffee and smoke fill the car and the windows are securely closed. Of course. I try to breathe through my mouth as we drive down Blackwood’s streets.
We go for about fifteen minutes in suffocating silence. They don’t talk and I’m determined to keep my right to remain silent.
Why is the station so far away?
Something vibrates at my side before the officer beside me picks up. He speaks in Russian, and even though mine is rusty, I recognize the words loud and clear.
We got her.
Oh, God. Oh, no.
I try to keep my expression neutral, to not show I know what he’s saying.
This must be Ivan Sokolov, my mom’s killer, the reason Reina disappeared.
Now, he’s coming after me.
I stare out the window and sure enough, we’re out of the civilized area and headed to the highway that leads to the forest.
Shit, shit.
Think. I need to think about a way out of this. What would Mom have done under the circumstances?
“I need to use the bathroom,” I say in a bored voice.
“You’ll do that when we get to the station,” Detective Daniels says.
He’s in on this, too. He must be. That’s why he was so focused on my case like a parasite. It wasn’t for justice; it was because he works for Ivan.
“Well, it’s urgent. You got me out in a rush.” I roll my eyes. “I’m fine if you want piss all over your seat.”
The officer beside me curses me in Russian.
Well, fuck you, too.
He taps the barrier separating us from the driver and tells him something. They exchange tense words for a bit and I keep a bored façade as I try to figure out what they’re saying.
One of them is saying no, and the other says the boss won’t be happy if something happens to me. Finally, they decide to make a stop at a gas station. Detective Daniels is the one to accompany me.
“Behave.” He flashes me his gun as he stands at the entrance.
I go inside and resist the urge to melt to the ground and have a freak-out party.
Holy shit. They’re taking me to the Russian mafia.
My phone and bag are in the hotel room so I have nothing on me right now.
Pacing the length of the restroom, I stop near the mirror. There’s a chipped part that’s nearly falling off.
I don’t hesitate to grab it and hide it in the pocket of my denim jacket as I turn on the faucet.
My only option is to get rid of Daniels. The others are in the car, so I have maybe five minutes before they come looking.
You’re Mia’s Sokolov’s daughter and Nikolai Sokolov’s granddaughter. You can do this.
A loud bang comes from the outside. “Are you done?”
I stare at myself one last time in the mirror.
You’re a survivor, just like your mother, just like Reina.
The knob turns at the same time I open the door.
“Finally,” he grunts. “Walk in front.”
This is the only chance I have. My fingers tremble over the edge of the shard, cutting the skin.
Now or never.
I pretend to walk in front of Daniels then I turn abruptly and jam the shard of glass into his neck, just above the collarbone. His eyes widen and it takes him a second to realize what happened.
As he falls back, I fumble in his pocket and snatch away the plastic bag that has my bracelet then tuck it safely in my pocket.
This is mine, and he had no right to take it.
He reaches a hand for me, but I’m already gone.
I don’t focus on him or the thud I hear as he hits the ground. I don’t focus on the oozing blood, surrounding him in a pool as he wheezes.
The only thing I focus on is my escape route.
I dart past him toward the gas station’s shop. I’ll use their phone and call for help. Then I’ll keep running or hide away until the guys in the car are gone.
I’m in front of the store when a strong blow lands on the back of my neck. My feet fail me and I fall to my knees and then to my side, my vision turning blurry.
Russian voices hover over me, far then near then almost as if they’re speaking from a well. Someone kicks me in the ribs. I want to scream but no voice comes out.
Instead, darkness swallows me whole.
I’m so sorry, Mama.
