“Exactly,” Lefty says, sounding pleased with himself. “And we already have all the supplies we need to build it right here. Just waiting to be put to good use.”
To build what, exactly?
Alexei’s eyes flicker to me. Goosebumps break out on my arms as his lips curl into an eerie smile. “That is… an intriguing idea, Viktor.”
“It will work. The FBI always prioritizes saving civilian life over anything else — even a criminal pursuit.” His words are intent, almost frenzied. “Give us this chance to prove our loyalty.”
“I really should kill you both for this display of gross ineptitude.” Alexi looks like he means it. “But I will grant you one more chance. If you can return the Nécessaire to me… all will be forgiven. If not…”
The threat hangs in the air.
“We won’t fail you, Alexei.”
“See that you don’t.” His eyes eventually move back to mine. “As for you, niece… I see no reason why you cannot return to your life. You will not be punished for my nephew’s mistakes.”
Oh, thank god.
He’s not going to kill me.
My relief is tempered by a strain of disbelief. I’m stunned that my plan actually worked. As Conor would say… it feels almosttooeasy.
A red flag is waving in the back of my mind.
Alexei Petrov is not an idiot. He did not rise to the top of the largest crime syndicate in Russia by playing fast and loose. He is a man of plans. Strategy.
Which is why I know it should’ve been far, far harder for the Evanoffs to convince him to agree to their half-baked plan. And far more difficult for me to convince him of my ignorance concerning the Egg.
Something isn’t right.
My suspicions are confirmed a heartbeat later, when Alexei smiles again. “You may return to your life… just as soon as you do us one small favor for us.”
There it is.
The catch.
All my hopes of escape, ofsurvival, deflate instantly — hissing out of me like air from a balloon. I try to take a deep breath, but there’s a lump of nerves blocking my airway.
“You are family, after all.” His eyes gleam, as though he’s the only one in on a particularly amusing joke. “And what is family for, if not to help in times of need?”
“Right,” I say weakly, heart thundering. “Anything for family.”
You are not my family, you pretentious prick.
Alexei watches silently as the Evanoffs scramble to their feet. I try not to balk as they close ranks around me; as two very large sets of hands wrap around either bicep, squeezing hard enough that I see stars.
Alexei’s chuckle is cold as ice. “It seems we find ourselves in need of a rather…explosive… distraction. Just to keep the FBI agents occupied while Viktor and Vladimir retrieve my property. Andyou, dear niece, will be absolutely perfect…”
Chapter Fifteen
OMG LITERALLY DEAD
I am goingto die today.
I’m not exaggerating or looking for a pity party. I’m just stating a fact.
Today is the day that I, Shelby Hunt, will shuffle off this mortal coil.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe I actually thought I’d get to walk away from this situation alive. How naive I was — thinking I could manipulate one of the most notorious criminals on the planet. A little girl playing with toys far above her maturity level, in a game with rules that have been rigged against her from the start.