AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?”
Chapter 12
ISABELLA
The dim glow of the fog lights cast an eerie shadow, barely illuminating the path ahead. Andrey’s steady hand guides the car down the bumpy road as I hold my breath and keep turning to ensure there are no lights behind us.
After what feels like an eternity, the farmhouse looms before us. Andrey does what Rose instructed, and we head right past it. The road smoothes out into what seems to be a driveway, and Andrey turns on the full beams. The sudden brightness floods the area, clearly revealing the path ahead.
“How do you think they found us?”
“I don’t think they found us,” Andrey tells me. “I think, like Konstantin, they followed the breadcrumb trails you left to the Land Cruiser, which was on the same road we were taking to the border.”
“Shit!” I blow out a breath. “Of course they would. I’m sorry.”
“No.” Andrey gives me a quick glance, and I see pride in his eyes. “You did the right thing. But Temur is an excellent tracker. In fact, I think he’d give the Polar Bear a run for his money.”
“Polar Bear?” My brow knits.
“One of my men,” Andrey explains. “Then Konstantin found out you’d done a money transfer from one of your bank accounts.”
“How the fuck did he find that out?” I hiss in alarm. “No one knows about that account.”
“Your brother does,” Andrey informs me as we hit the end of the farm road and we head west on the road. “Here goes nothing.” He gives me a tight smile. “I hope you’re right about your new friend, Rose.”
Fuck, I’m going to have to fix that shit. I bite the side of my mouth, making a mental note to look into how my brother found out about that account.
About two miles later, we turn onto Beebe Road, and it’s not long before the border control can be seen ahead of us as the sleek black Mercedes glides over the road. Its tinted windows shield us from curious eyes.
We pull up to the border checkpoint, the massive “WELCOME TO CANADA” sign looming above us. The area is quiet in the early morning hours, save for the distant hum of vehicles and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.
My heart pounds as we inch closer to the booth and stop. Andrey slides the window as a man approaches us. The border guard, a middle-aged man with a stern face, steps up to our window. I flash a polite smile as Andrey turns towards him.
“Good evening,” the guard says, peering at us through the window. “Destination?”
“Montreal,” Andrey replies smoothly.
The guard’s gaze lingers on us for a moment. I try not to squirm and hope I don’t look guilty as his eyes search us. It feels like he’s looking for any hint of deceit, and I try not to think about the guns we have hidden beneath our seats.
You’ve done nothing wrong, Isabella. We’re just on holiday. But still, I hold my breath, trying to keep my expression calm and composed.
“Purpose of your visit?” the guard continues.
“My wife wanted to honeymoon in Canada.” Andrey doesn’t flinch as the lie slips skilfully from his lips. “He grins and pulls the sonogram from his pocket. We may not be able to travel for a while soon, so it’s now or next time we’re here, there will be dual baby seats.”
The guard features soften. “Congratulations. I have three myself.” Satisfied with Andrey’s answer, he asks, “Passport, please.”
Andrey hands over our passports, watching as the man inspects them under the overhead light. The seconds turn into what feels like hours to me.
I have to stop myself from shifting nervously in my seat while Andrey is as calm and composed as ever.
The guard finally hands the passports back. “Enjoy your stay in Canada. Drive safely.” He smiles at me. “Take care of those babies.”
“Thank you,” Andrey says, sliding the passports back into the compartment between the seats.
As we drive away from the checkpoint, I exhale slowly, finally releasing my breath as relief floods me.
“It’s okay.” Andrey turns toward me and smiles before teasing me. “You’ll get used to your new life of crime in the dark underbelly of the world.”
