“You can say that again.” I hold one of the knives up into the light, inspecting the blade. “They’re sick and twisted. But above all else, cowards.” I sheathe the knife under my belt. “Get over here and choose a knife.”
I didn’t even realize Galina was in the kitchen preparing dinner. She turns over her shoulder and looks at me disapprovingly.
“They have Joy.”
She stops what she’s doing, her mouth gaping wide open.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let them hurt her.”
Galina’s face softens a little.
I see the butcher knife in her hand and swoop over there, taking it from her grasp. I rinse the animal blood under the faucet and hand it to Niko. If the blade can cut through fatty steak, Niko should have no problems cutting Siguard’s skinny old politicians in half.
“Later, Galina,” I say, rushing out of the kitchen.
“Be careful, Mr. Valerian,” she shouts. “Save Miss Joy.”
Niko and I jump in the first car we can find. I start the engine and slam my foot on the gas.
My pulse is beating so fast it hums. This must be how victims feel when their life flashes before their eyes as I take it.
Life for me has always been so certain and straightforward. I go to sleep at night with nothing to worry about, because I left my troubles in Russia. America was where I started over on a clean slate. This country was soft, the people easy to manipulate. I knew I’d never need to live in fear again.
But there’s a painful ache in my chest as I drive through the gates, heading toward the city. Joy has given me a lot to lose.
And now, I’m losing sight of myself in order to rescue her. My number one priority should be getting the money back. But it’s not. It’s keeping her alive.
24
VALERIAN
It’sseven p.m. when I make it to my office block in the city.
I park up outside. I’ll probably be knee deep in parking fines by the time I’m done here. Screw them all. They can take their fines and shove them up their ass, if their own head isn’t already up there.
Siguard says he’s been watching me for a while. I hate that I never saw the signs. But that’s the problem with this city. Behind the blinding lights and showbiz, everyone has something to hide. Or someone they’re trying to protect.
I’m glad I finally got through to Joy about all of that. Now it’s time to get her the fuck out.
The glass-tipped edges of my building glow orange in the sunset. The sky looks like it’s on fire. It’s a nice sunset. I’d love to watch it come down over Siguard’s dead body. That will be a great end to this day.
Niko and I walk in through reception. There’s nobody there. It’s the weekend. The place is empty.
We call for an elevator and take it right up to the roof. I adjust my cufflinks as we ride up to the top, pulling my shirt sleeves up above to where my biceps are.
Niko looks in the mirror, unbuttoning the top few buttons of his shirt.
I see him watching me in the mirror. He can probably hear my pulse. It’s beating loud enough.
“We’ll get her out of here.”
“Yeah,” I sigh, wiping my brow. I’m already dripping with sweat. “But it won’t be easy. Siguard is working with my son.”
Niko has a grave expression written across his face.
My thoughts exactly.
The elevator slows down as we get to the top. It dings, the metal doors sliding open.