Page 140 of Anton

“Mikhail and Arkady have secured a new route for us to get what we need for our clients. The problem is there’s a senator who wants his pockets greased to keep this quiet. I don’t know how he found out, but he needs to be dealt with.” His attention snaps to the twins. “I need you two to pay him a visit. Don’t play nice. But be clean. No loose ends. Ponyatno?” Understand?

He pushes a manila folder toward them.

A slow grin spreads across Arkady’s face. “Anything for you, brat.”

“I will have another name once you’re done with this one.”

“More reasons to stay in America.” Arkady leans back in his chair.

Why didn’t Konstantin ask me to do this? My agitation only grows.

Mikhail’s fingers tap against the table, the scorpion on his hand jerking with the movement. “We are happy to stay as long as you need. That’s why we’re here.”

How thoughtful of them.

Maybe Konstantin can give these assholes my house, my car, and the woman he ordered me to kill while he’s at it.

“We’ve actually been looking at property here to maybe make this stay more permanent. We are happy to be flexible if you need us here longer.”

My grip snaps around the armrest.

Arkady and Mikhail staying here is the last thing I need. If they leave, Thora has a better chance of staying alive, and that is the only thing that matters right now. Even though time is running out and I still don’t have a plan that won’t end with me standing between her and my own family.

Konstantin does not change his mind once he has made it up. Thora will die if I don’t do something. Maybe I can convince her to leave the country. Maybe there is a way out of this before Konstantin realizes I am never going to finish the job.

After what she learned about the Whitlocks, there is less tying her here than there was before. It’s worth a try.

Mikhail’s arm drops across the back of my chair. “You seem happy with this news.”

My eyes move to his. “What gave that away?”

Arkady laughs. “Don’t worry, cousin. We will stay out of your way.”

Mikhail’s smile cuts sharper. “Unless you get in ours.”

Oh, how cliché. Pushing me isn’t really in his best interest.

If I find out they’re the ones who shot at Thora and me, I’ll open both of them from throat to stomach and let Konstantin deal with the mess.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

THORA

It’s been hours since he left, and I’m starting to wonder how long business meetings are supposed to take.

Part of me worries whoever shot him last time will come after him again, but I don’t want to nag or make him feel like I’m checking up on him, so I don’t bother calling. Instead, I lie across his bed with Volchok beside me, his massive head—which weighs more than a small child, by the way—plopped on my stomach.

I scroll through my phone and try to ignore the missed calls and texts from my family staring back at me. Makes me feel like a total bitch that I haven’t called back, but I don’t have anything to say at the moment.

I texted Mama, telling her I was back in New Jersey and that I’d be taking a break from the farm for a bit. She said she understood, but when she asked where I was going, I didn’t answer. None of them would understand my relationship with Anton. Greer definitely doesn’t, and knowing her, she’s probably already told everyone enough to make them worry.

Volchok perks up before I hear anything, his ears lifting and his tail thumping once against the mattress. A second later, rough footsteps echo up the staircase, and I know it’s Anton before the bedroom door even opens.

Volchok lets out a low, unhappy hum as I push myself up from the bed, personally objecting to me leaving after giving him attention for the last few hours.

“There you are.”

Anton barely gets one foot inside before I cross the room and throw my arms around his neck, while his hands grab my waist.