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“Pico-boo,” he says.

“Pico!” I can’t believe we forgot about him.

I open the back door. I expect him to be at last nuzzling at the door, but he’s still curled up on the car seat. I grab Pico and the car seat, then wave to Nikolai. “Let me know if you need anything,” he calls, pulling away.

I sit in the backseat of the car, dog-tired, waiting for the road recovery service. Maybe I should’ve just let him give me the car. But then what? Then he has something over me. Then I’m giving up control.

A text comes through to the burner.

X: Your phrase is, ‘I’m feeling good today, which is strange, because usually I’m bleak.’

I smile.

Iris: How did you come up with that? Based on your own mood?

But he doesn’t reply. He’s not going to flirt with Iris now that he’s started things with me. I find myself missing it. I need to get his actual phone number on my phone if I want that, then, but I feel safer as Iris. Like I can cross lines I’d find harder in real life. I want to ask him who he saved and what it cost him, but I can’t ask that without revealing that I’m Iris.

Thirty minutes later, the pickup service calls to tell me they’re going to be another two hours. I resist the urge to rant down the phone. Instead, I walk to Vanta, finding Celeste in the lobby.

“Serena, I was just about to head home. Are you okay?”

“Funny you should ask,” I say. “I’m feeling good today, which is strange, because usually I’m bleak.”

Celeste grins, then asks me to wait. She walks into the club proper, then emerges wearing a coat she wasn’t wearing before. She takes the envelope from her pocket outside. I quickly slip it in my purse.

“Need a ride?” she asks.

“No, I’ve got one.” Or I’ll get one eventually.

Celeste kneels and tries to stroke Pico. As usual, he bares his teeth and backs up. “Okay, tough guy. I get it.”

I go back to the car, then count the cash. Okay, this is clearly bigger business now. Holy hell… Nine thousand and five hundred dollars. Almost ten thousand dollars. This is going to change a lot. I need to be smart though. Budget it appropriately. But Zoe’s getting her ballet shoes. I know that much.

I stuff it back in my handbag, then try not to think. But I can’t. Because… well, what is Nikolai going to do? Is he going to make sure Owen is safe? Or is he going to go to Rafael and get a payoff from him? I hate not knowing just how dark Nikolai Volkov is.

I take out my burner cell.

Iris: Is Owen Price a bad man?

X: Why are you asking me this, Iris? Our transaction is over.

Iris: Maybe I want to be able to sleep at night.

X: He’s a young man with two kids and an ex-wife. He pays child support and he coaches the little league team. He’s a good guy who got involved in a bad situation and now he’s trying to do the right thing. I know this won’t make you feel any better but in this world, it’s better to do your job and forget about the rest.

Iris: Are you going to help him or hurt him?

X: You’re overstepping now.

I want to point out that he’s usually the one who oversteps, but that was Serena who said that, not Iris.

Iris: I want to believe you’re a good man, that I’m not working for bad people. Please, don’t let an innocent person get hurt. Especially not if he’s trying to do the right thing.

X: Noted. But Iris, you might have to get some ice in that heart soon. This world doesn’t treat the soft kindly.

Iris: I’m not soft. I’m ready to do what’s necessary. I just think you’re better than cozying up to HIM. I think you want to do the right thing even if it’s difficult.

X: You’re right. And you don’t need to worry. I’m trying. But in this world, sometimes that’s not enough. You should come to terms with that, or maybe this won’t be right for you.