“Isobel?” Roman asks, his expression growing even darker.
Nikolai slides his arm around my waist and pulls me back toward him. “Let’s get out of the line of fire,” he says casually.
“That’s my name.” Billie raises her chin. “My full name, I mean.”
Roman’s lips twitch, like he has a lot to say, but fights it back.
“I like Billie,” Igor decides. “I’m going to keep calling you that.”
Billie laughs. “That’s fine. Brian likes using my full name. He says Billie sounds too little girlish.”
Roman mutters something in Russian under his breath.
My phone buzzes in my purse, but I try to ignore it. I don’t want to be rude, but as soon as it stops, it starts again.
I open my purse and pull out the phone. It’s Joey.
“I have to take this, sorry,” I say, stepping away from the group. Nikolai’s eyes narrow and he follows me the dozen steps away as I answer the call.
“Hey, Joey. I’m at a party—”
“Charlie! Shit, Charlie! It’s on fire!”
My heart stops. Dead.
“What?” I cover my other ear. The background noise has to have messed up what he said.
“The deli is on fire, Charlie,” he yells, sirens blaring behind him.
“Okay. Okay.” I press my hand to my chest. My heart’s started again, but now it’s banging against my ribs. “Is everyone okay?”
“You gotta come down here,” Joey yells. “Mark! Shit! Mark! He was in the bathroom!” The call dies.
“I have to go.” I run for the doors.
Nikolai is right behind me. “What’s wrong?” he asks while trying to keep up with me as I run through the banquet hall and down the long spiral stairs to get to the main floor.
“My deli’s on fire!” I yell as I push through the doors and run full speed to the car.
* * *
Police barricades blockoff the surrounding area when we arrive. Fire trucks are lined up on the street and two ambulances are already on the scene. Dark gray smoke billows from the fire, not fully out yet, and it’s consumed the storefronts on both sides of the deli.
As soon as Nikolai stops the car, I jump out. He’s yelling at me, but I’ll deal with him later.
“That’s my store!” I yell as a police officer tries to keep me among the crowd that’s built.
He shakes his head.
“Let me through!”
“Let her through.” Nikolai is right behind me, his voice clear and focused. The cop looks at him then nods.
“Be careful and don’t get any closer than the trucks.” He pulls the caution horse out of the way and lets me in.
Nikolai grabs my hand. “Slow down.”
“Joey said Mark was in there.” I try to yank my hand from him, but he tightens his grip.