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If she wanted me to clarify that I was supposed to actually be her killer, this would take all night.

“Louisa, now.”

She winced, reaching for the doorknob. I wasn’t surprised that she closed the door after her, but I wasn’t intimidated or nervous about that. The only way out of here was past me, through the front door. There were no windows they could escape through.

I glanced at the bodies behind the couch, narrowing my eyes as I wondered what could’ve happened if I hadn’t been able to climb the fire escape faster and sneak in here before they could break in too.

Fucking Konstantins again.

Kirill Konstantin was working on the wrong side of history here.

I got my phone out and took a picture for confirmation of these kills. They could rot in here for all I cared, but it would probably make more sense to order a cleanup.

I texted Maksim.

Nikolai: Need a cleanup here.

I sent the picture and the address.

Just to cover my bases, I sighed and switched to another thread.

Nikolai: There’s been a change of plans with your orders.

He replied immediately, three dots appearing. I bet he was up anyway with Luka not sleeping through the night.

Seems like Brady won’t be having a solid night of sleep, either.

Adrik: The only change would be you not following them. There’s nothing to negotiate. Eliminate the loose end.

Nikolai: I’m bringing her to a safehouse now. I’ll get answers there.

Adrik: The target? Why? I didn’t ask you to get answers. I asked you to get a clean kill to eliminate any rumors spreading any further about Gregori’s supposed death.

Nikolai: Trust me.

He didn’t reply, but I ran out of time to wonder if his lack of a reply signified that he did, in fact, trust me.

Louisa and Brady came out of the bedroom. She held a backpack of clothes and secured a tight grip on his hand.

“Ready to go?”

“Who are you?” Brady asked.

Dammit. She was supposed to tell him I was a friend.

“Yeah, friend,” Louisa said with a hint of nerves and a huge implication that she didn’t trust me or this situation.

“You can call me Nikolai.” I eyed Louisa carefully as she narrowed her eyes, heading toward the door. If she tried to run, I’d catch them both.

“Okay, Mr. Nikolai,” Brady said, frowning. He looked so young, but age was never a block for someone to pick up on cues. Even Luka and Isabel, my nephew and niece, could detect a person’s vibe. And they were only babies.

“That’s not his last name, buddy,’ Louisa said with another lift of her brows. She wanted me to fully reveal myself.

Ordinarily, a target wouldn’t be allowed that privilege. But there was nothing ordinary about her. Or this night.

“You can call me Mr. Volkov,” I corrected.

Louisa’s eyes opened wide in alarm again.