Page 28 of Caged

“So, dinner went well?” he snickers.

“He got called away. They’re heading towards Knox tonight. That’s why I’m talking to you.”

“Sure. What did you do to the food?” Sarcasm drips from his words.

I will go to my death bed before admitting I messed it up. “It went amazingly, thank you. He was begging for more.”

Well, for more water.

“Uh huh. Alright. Stay safe.” He hangs up with a click off of the secured line.

Asshole. Maybe I’ll cook for him when we’re out of this mess.

TWELVE

NIKOLAI

We were so close, but Knox slipped through our fingers.

His fucking cigar was still smouldering in his ashtray.

“It’s like he knew we were coming.” Alexei slumps into the passenger seat.

I give him a grunt of agreement.

It’s frustrating.

My phone dings with a text. Maybe that’s Enzo with a new tip?

Lara: I need you to pick up Elena in the morning

Me: I can’t. I’m watching Melissa

Lara: I need you too

Me: k

Shit.

I love my sister, but there are some times in her life when she slips off of the face of the earth without reason.

I learned a long time ago not to question it.

She’s putting me in a bind, though.

“I’m dropping you at your house.” Making a swift left turn, the tires chirp and we both lean with the force.

“In a hurry to get back to that girl?” Alexei peels himself away from the door as I straighten the car.

“I need to call Enzo and clear her. Lara is doing a runner.” I don’t know what else to call it. What she does when she doesn’t answer, I can only guess.

She’s been around Mikhail and I long enough to have learned to evade our questions, and us.

Alexei’s face pales. “I worry when she does this.”

I forget he’s seen her disappear also. He always takes it personally, like he’s failed in a mission.

His shoulders are sagging when he climbs out.