I turn to face him. "Where do we start?"
Victor pulls out his phone, scrolling through something. "The summit officially resumes tomorrow morning. Breakfast at eight. Formal sessions throughout the day. Dinner at seven. We'll attend everything. Blend in. Observe."
"And Maxim?"
"We'll find him."
I nod, my jaw tightening. "And when we do?"
Victor looks at me, his eyes narrow. "We gather information. We find out where Elena is. And then we move. Calmly."
"I want him dead, Victor."
"I know."
"I want them all dead."
"I know," he repeats. "But not yet. Not until we have her."
I stare at him and nod. He's right.
Not yet. But soon.
I turn away and look out the window, and I think to myself over and over.
Hold on, Leni.
I'm coming.
8
ELENA
Maxim came back late last night.
I heard the door unlock, heard his heavy footsteps stumbling across the threshold. He reeked of whiskey and cigars, his eyes glassy and unfocused.
I was in the bedroom and I froze, holding my breath.
He swayed in the doorway, staring at me for what felt like an eternity. Then he turned, collapsed onto the bed fully clothed, and passed out.
I didn't move for some time, praying that he would just stay asleep and not want my body.
Finally, after he'd been snoring for some time, I got into bed, as far from him as I could, curled up, and fell asleep.
This morning, he woke up, stood over me until I swallowed my pill, then mumbled something about diplomatic meetings all day and then tried to leave without another word.
I should have let him, but I had to ask him what his plans were for me today.
A simple question. A stupid question.
It irritated him that I asked, of course, and he shoved me to the ground for it, though maybe I deserved it. I don't know.
"I was going to tell you to be ready for dinner, but being as you're so fucking needy, maybe I'll rethink this evening," he said, his voice cold and sharp. "Maybe I'll just have you eat in your room instead. Maybe you'll never leave until this event is over."
Then he slammed the door, locked it, and left me here in limbo.
But I know better. I know I have no choice but to act as if I'm going to the dinner.