Page 81 of Dark Soul

He was pretty sure Thorne noticed, but the other man didn’t say anything.

“They ran Slate over as they took off.”

“How is he?”

“Concussed,” Dark said, not bothering to mention the bruising. “But he’ll be okay.”

“What are you doing now?”

“Listening to some of that same chatter your analysts are talking about, apparently. Lemercier just called Kvyat. He’s going to arrange the exchange.”

“The boy and the woman for the plans?” Thorne pondered that for a minute. “You need to get the boy back. And the plans.”

Time to come clean.

“I need to get her back, Thorne.”

“Her? Alexia Miller? Tell me you’re fucking kidding me, Dark.”

“If they’re still in Gstaad, I’ll find them. But if he’s managed to get them out, I’m going to need your help.”

“My help? That’s rich. You haven’t even completed a single mission, and already you’re telling me … oh, this is rich.”

“Are you going to help or not?”

Thorne sighed. “I’ll get some analysts on it. But I’m going to need you all to focus on the mission.”

Dark made some kind of noncommittal sound.

He’d focus on the mission.

Even if that mission had changed.

25

* * *

Alexia

Rain pattered somewhere nearby.

It was a soft, relaxing sound, but there was something … wrong with it. It took her a moment to realize what it was.

She took a quick sniff.

Nothing—no chlorinated smell wafting through from the home spa next door.

She wasn’t in her room in the basement.

Fear replaced the puzzlement as she began remembering.

She could still see Dark’s friend … Slate … as he’d flown over the hood of the van.

What if he’s dead?

That thought led to one even more frightening.

Nikolai!