“We can get to that later. Right now, what you need is someone who can investigate the depth of corruption in the NYPD.”
My eyes widen as I focus on the ground.
“And better yet.” She smirks. “Cardona wouldn’t see it coming.”
“But what if this Berkowitz guy tries to turn Pavel and me in, too?”
She shakes her head. “You could make a deal. You could get immunity and turn in the information you have. You could get protection while taking down the guy who ruined your life. You could befree.”
My heart lurches.
She means Cardona, I think.But it sure sounds like she’s talking about Pavel.
I quietly run through a few scenarios in my mind. Some of them involve Pavel getting arrested. Others involve my incarceration. All I can picture is iron bars and shitty jumpsuits—and in every situation, I lose. Not just my freedom, but my child.
And that’s simply unacceptable.
I shake my head. “No, Willow. I don’t trust it.”
“Listen, he’s close with Daddy,” she explains. “And with how you just rescued me, he’s going to owe you one.”
My expression sours. “I don’t think your dad sees it that way.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He blew up at me in his office. He blames me for you getting kidnapped. For getting you involved.”
She frowns. “But it’s not your fault, Liya. It’s Cardona. He’s been pulling the strings in the background since your father was murdered.”
“It’s more than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Every man I’ve ever been with has been pulling the strings in the background,” I explain. “My father, Jonas, Pavel, Cardona—it doesn’t matter who they are to me. And each time they do it, people around me get hurt. I don’t want to involve you or your father anymore. I’ve almost lost you once. I can’t bear it if it happens again. Or worse, if I can’t save you.”
I feel sick to my stomach as the words tumble out of my mouth. I’m not sure where Mr. Austin is, but I don’t want to wait for him any longer. I just want to make sure Willow is safe, and then I can get back to the house in Coney Island.
Run, my brain insists.It’s all you know.
But it’s not what I want to do anymore.
All I’ve ever done is run away. I ran away from the Citta Nostra. I ran away from Jonas. I’m running away from Pavel. I’ve always focused on escape and not on how to resolve my problems.
“Look.” She wrinkles her nose. “You’re my best friend. And friends don’t abandon each other when things get tough. You helped save me, Liya. Let me repay this favor.”
Willow is right. Running won’t solve anything. It’ll just make everything exponentially worse.
I meet her gaze fearlessly.No more running.
I smile weakly. “Okay.”
“Attagirl. I’ll talk to my dad. He’ll listen to me.”
A train horn blares through the tunnel. I glance at the tracks, listening to the steady rush of air indicating the oncoming cars. Within seconds, the subway is full of noise again. People bustle about to get to where they’re going. A few punk-looking sax players wander down the stairs and start setting up nearby.
Willow wraps an arm around me. It’s a protective gesture—and I’d laugh if it didn’t make me feel so sad. Because regardless of what’s happened, she still wants to protect me. She still wants to guard me. She still wants me to be safe.
Even when being my friend puts her in danger, she stays by my side.