“Is it really you?” Luka laughs and coughs, surprise evident in his tone. But I can’t tell if it’s because he wants me dead and I’ve disappointed him, or he’s genuinely shocked that I’m standing in front of him.
“No, I’m a ghost,” I say.
He cracks a wry grin and throws an arm out for a hug. “I thought you were dead, man.” Luka takes a step back and fusses with his hair. He’s nervous. I’ve been around him long enough to catch his tics. What’s he hiding?
“Yeah, I’ll bet you did.” I exhale a heavy breath. I glance him over. He doesn’t look worse for wear, but I don’t know what he’s been through since that afternoon when I was shot.
My memory is foggy for that particular day, but everything leading up to it is crisp and clear. “What the hell happened with Anton and Savannah?”
He runs a hand through his hair again. His suit coat, perfect from afar, has a few wrinkles up close. It’s late, and his eyes are worn. It’s obvious he’s tired, and I caught him off guard.
Good. I prefer to have the advantage, which won’t last for long. When he returns to the compound, he’ll alert Mikhail that I’m alive.
“Fuck, that was what—six weeks ago?” He shuffles his feet. There’s a heaviness between us that looms and hangs overhead. “Anton shot you and then shot me.”
“That’s a nice story,” I say, not believing him. “Why the hell would he shoot you and then leave me in the forest to die?”
“He wanted to take me as a hostage. I was still alive,” Luka says. His voice is firm and unwavering as he meets my stare.
“News flash, so was I.”
“I noticed,” Luka says. His jaw twitches. “Where the hell have you been?”
FIVE
Sadie
The bed is cold and empty. Did Dmitri decide to bail last night now that he remembers the past?
Is he married?
Engaged?
I should have asked before falling into bed with him. But damn, it was good. It’s been a long time since a man worshipped my body in the way that Dmitri had. Too long.
“Mom?” Allie knocks promptly but doesn’t burst through my door like usual.
“Just a sec!” I hurry to grab pajamas from the dresser and put them on in record speed. The bedroom door is unlocked, but she waits patiently. More so than usual. Why is that?
When I’m dressed, I stalk for the door and yank open the handle. “You’re home early.”
There’s a knowing smirk adorning her lips. “I met your boyfriend.”
“What?” I cough and clear my throat, my eyes wide.
Shit.
“Did Dmitri just leave?” I ask, brushing past her for the kitchen. I need coffee.
“The hot Russian with a killer body? He left last night.”
“Last night,” I repeat, confused. “You came home last night? What happened with your friend?” I ask, steering the conversation away from Dmitri. He’s not my boyfriend. I don’t want Allie getting any crazy ideas.
“We got into a fight because she was being a brat. She wanted to sneak out and visit her boyfriend. And insisted that I had to cover for her. She left me to babysit her two siblings.”
“That’s not very nice of her.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I ratted her out the minute she left. I called her mother, and she came home. She’s probably grounded for the rest of her life!” She pumps her fist into the air as a sign of victory.