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Kate

The barrel of the gun is cold against my temple I stare at the one Alex left in the console How quickly can I grab it?

“Tsk, tsk,” Besov says, reaching between the seats for Alex’s gun

“You’re a dead rits out

Besov laughs “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m the one with the weapons”

Alex turns in his seat “What do you want?”

Besov shrugs “Nothing”

“Then why are you here?” Alex asks with a glacier stare

“I never leave a job unfinished” Besov smiles at ood for my professional reputation Besides, you’ve been such a challenging prey It’ll be an honor to finally kill you”

Blinking back lare at hi down in the house Igor and I—everyone—had been too distracted to think about searching the cars It wasn’t until I was already inside the vehicle that I realized I wasn’t alone

“The police will be here soon,” Alex says

The lights of the sirens are already visible in the distance

“Drive,” Besov says, pushing the barrel harder against my temple

Alex givessmile His voice is soft “Put on your seatbelt, Katerina”

It’s easy to follow his order It’s always been easy to follow him He’s the kind of leader people trust

He secures his own seatbelt before starting the engine “Where do you want o?”

“Back to the un to my side “Left at the intersection”

Alex’s knuckles turn white as he grips the wheel His body is like a tightly coiled spring, but he drives s toward the o left just as the police cars round the bend and speed down the road

I crane my neck to look at the Maybe I can flag one of the men

Besov nudges un “Eyes in the front”

Not having a choice, I face forward Anyould I have said if the police had stopped us? Alex just blew up Stefanov’s house With Stefanov inside it