"Like hell you are."
Victor shrugs. "That was always the plan, brother. If I don't return, it'll look too suspicious. I told them I was taking her to a hospital. If I disappear, they'll start asking questions we can't answer."
"Let them ask."
"Adrian." Victor says and uncrosses his arms. "This is about keeping you and Elena off their radar long enough to get all of us out of here and back to Romania."
I step forward and lower my voice. "We just walked out of a diplomatic event where three Russians got shot and kidnappedwomen are on the loose. You think going back is going to look less suspicious?"
He laughs. "Yeah, it's fucked, but I think staying gone looks worse." Victor steps closer and puts his arm on my shoulder. "Right now, they're scrambling. The basement full of trafficked women you freed is causing chaos. The guards are busy trying to contain the situation. If I walk back in, play the concerned diplomat, steer the narrative, I buy us time."
"And what if they arrest you?"
"They won't." Victor smiles. "I'm very good at what I do."
I shake my head. "This is insane."
"This is strategy." Victor taps his phone screen. "I'll keep the Swiss officials focused on the trafficking ring instead of looking for you, and most importantly, for her. And I'll make sure no one connects Elena's disappearance to the bloodbath you left in that suite."
"Okay, if you think it's best," I say.
"I do. And it'll enable me to keep my pulse on things, make sure the Russians aren't sending anyone this direction. Once the heat dies down, I'll come back, and we'll head home."
I shake my head, and Victor shifts to look over my shoulder toward the living room.
"How is she?"
"She's…" I stop and think of how to say it. "She's not herself."
"She's been held captive for eighteen months. Give her time."
"She doesn't even look at me."
Victor glances in my direction. "She will, don’t worry.“
I want to believe him. I want to believe that the Elena I knew, the girl who laughed too loud and kissed me like the world was ending, is still in there somewhere.
But right now, I don't see her.
Victor steps back and adjusts his cufflinks. "You got her out. That's what matters. The rest will come," he says.
Then he heads out the front door, and a few seconds later, the sound of the car engine fades into the distance.
And then it's just me and Elena.
Alone.
12
ADRIAN
Now it's just the sound of the crackling fire behind me.
I turn around slowly and stare at the back of her. She's sitting perfectly still.
I look down at my hands. Dried blood cracks in the creases of my knuckles. Dark streaks run up my wrists, disappearing under my sleeves.
Maxim's blood.