I lowered the bottle slowly.
“You invited her over?” I asked Malachai.
He nodded. “If you would have let me speak before destroying things, you would have known.”
I set the bottle down, smoothed my robe, and tried to look like I hadn’t just destroyed half his liquor collection.
“My bad.”
Maya stepped around him, walking past the broken glass like it wasn’t even there. She stopped in front of me and looked me up and down.
“Girl,” she said. “You look crazy.”
“I feel crazy.”
“Fair.” She glanced back at Malachai. “Can we have a minute?”
He didn’t move.
“A minute,” she repeated, firmer.
He looked at me. I looked at him.
“I’ll be back,” he said, then walked out.
Maya waited until his footsteps faded. Then she grabbed my arm and pulled me to the couch.
“Sit down before you fall down.”
I sat.
“What the hell is going on?” she asked. “I didn’t know what happened after that damn madman drugged you. Raziel had to hold me back when I saw him pull out that needle.”
“Never mind that. His nosy ass will be back soon,” I said, leaning closer. “Tell me you know something. Are the Russians dead?”
Maya shook her head. “I don’t. Kael is the only one Malachai is dealing with, and he hasn’t said anything.”
I shook my head.
“Can I use your phone? I think he’s lying to keep me here.”
“He made me agree to something before I came in. No phone. Sorry.”
I stared at her.
She laughed. “Girl, you know I don’t listen.”
She reached into her bra and pulled out a burner phone—a small, cheap flip phone.
I grabbed it and dialed the number I knew by heart. Maya scooted in to listen. I didn’t care.
Cooly picked up on the second ring. “Yeah.”
“It’s me.”
There was a pause. “You in Florida? I fucking turned over five boroughs looking for you.”
“Yes.”