I motioned for Tatiana to be quiet, lifted a heavy vase from one of the console tables, and positioned myself above him on the upper floor. I had an uninterrupted view of the top of his head as he walked in and out of sight. I took a few seconds to study his speed and movements, then I let go of the vase. It fell and hit him right on the top of his head, and he crumpled to the floor. Thank goodness the thick rug beneath him muffled the sound of the vase breaking into a dozen pieces.
I grabbed Tatiana’s hand again, and we crept down the last few steps. The man had fallen on his side, and his jacket had flapped open. I stared at the shiny black handle of the gun in a holster on his waist. Before I could question it, I reached for it.
It was heavier than I’d imagined it would be. I gripped it and looked it over. The safety seemed to be on, but other than that, I had no idea if it was even loaded. Still, I felt safer with it in my hand.
I nodded toward a hallway branching off the foyer toward the back of the house. I hoped there would be a way outside from there. We went past a kitchen where the low sound of voices talking sent us running past. At the end of the hall, past the kitchen door and around a bend, was a set of French doors.
My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear anything apart from that drumming tattoo in my ears. Tatiana’s hand was small and sweaty in my grip, but she held on to me tightly, and I her.
We reached the doors, and I muttered a quick prayer, turning the handle.
It didn’t move.
It was locked.
Disappointment crashed into me just as I remembered Vera’s key ring. I pulled it out and sorted through the keys I hadn’t tried yet.
Attempting the one that looked the closest in size to the lock, I let out a tiny cry of relief when it turned.
The night air, freezing cold, washed over my face. We stepped out onto the frozen gravel outside the back door.
“What now?” Tatiana asked, shivering a little.
“Now we find the street.” I gave her a smile that I hoped came off as playful and adventurous instead of terrified. I had no doubt that if Sergei found us sneaking out, the illusion of our being valued guests would soon disappear.
We started out across the lawn. The moon hung bright and low overhead, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good or a bad thing. It illuminated the yard, but then it also made us more exposed.
We were halfway across when headlights swung past the house, approaching from the other side. Sergei and Rada returning from dinner?
I tugged Tatiana after me. We neared the tree line that surrounded the edge of the yard and the high fence. I made out a dark shape crouched low in the bushes. He seemed to be facing the front of the house, and we were able to get close without attracting attention.
The man didn’t even turn until I pressed the gun into the middle of his back.
“I don’t want to kill you?—”
“Thank God for that,” the man interrupted, and crossed himself.
I stared at him, sure I hadn’t seen him correctly in the moonlight.
“We are leaving, and you’re not going to try and stop us,” I resumed my threat.
The man nodded. “I won’t, I swear. In fact, I’ll come with you.”
“What? No you won’t,” I snapped, and backed up.
The man slowly straightened and held his hands out like he was indicating that he came in peace.
“I need a hand here. I’m out back, four o’clock,” he said to no one, apparently.
“Who are you talking to?” I demanded.
“You’ll see shortly. Someone who is very impatient to see you. But if you could do me a favor? Finding you was my job, after all. Don’t tell Massi that you did my job for me, okay?”
“Massi? You’re with Massimo?” I asked, things I couldn’t name soaring in my heart.
“Wait, Father Lucciano is here?” Tatiana asked beside me.
“Yes, little one. Father Lucciano is here,” a deep voice said, and then strong arms surrounded me from behind.