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On the tarmac, headlights race toward us. The car stops at the base of the stairs, and out comes one man, who calls out something. Katya runs toward him and throws her arms around him. It hits me how I’m not jealous. This has to be Markus, and he’s no threat. She’s mine, after all.

She runs to the passenger door and helps Markus lift Uri out. Holy shit. He’s so pale his skin has a blue tint to it. He stumbles getting out of the car, and my heart is in my throat.

They bring him up the stairs, and he crashes onto one of the leather seats. He’s sweating and shivering, his shirt stained a deep rust color. He gives me a half-smile. “Fuck, you look good.”

“You look like shit, so it’s not a fair comparison.”

“Found my watch.” He tries to raise his hand to show me, but groans. Uri blinks a few times at Ian in my arms. “You got the band back together.”

“Katya did.” I turn my head toward her.

She’s standing in the corner, talking with Alana, who looks even more somber than before. Katya hugs her associate and slowly walks over to me. She tilts her head, her lower jaw quivering. “I need to stay.”

I didn’t hear her right. There’s no way. We’re here, on the plane. Safe, alive, and free. “No. We’re leaving.” I inch toward her, but she steps out of the way.

“You’re still in danger, all of you.” Her voice cracks. “I can’t protect you from it.”

“I don’t need you to.”

She laughs. “Shit, you really are funny.” She shakes her head. “Whatever happened, it’s bigger than your family. It’s bigger than my team. I’m convinced it’s connected to Majesty somehow.”

This doesn’t make sense. “Fine, but that doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

“There’s a mole in the agency. That’s the only explanation for my team’s attack. I’m the only one who knows, it has to be me who investigates.”

“No!”

Markus steps forward. “Katya, what are you doing?”

“I’m going back in. It’s the only way to make sure all of you are safe.” She waves her hand around the cabin of the plane.

Alana steps in, arms crossed, addressing us. “You’re all under my care for now. Katya will keep the alphabet agencies off your scent. Fresh start, new lives.”

I pull away from her. “I thought you loved me.”

Katya breaks. Her chest heaves, and she tries to regain control. She peers at me like her brain is buffering. “I do,” sheconfesses. “And this is how I’m showing you.” She jumps into my arms and kisses me, but it tastes like salt. “I’ll come find you. I promise.”

She runs off the plane as the pilot starts the engine and begins his preflight check.

The man in black hands me a blanket. “Name’s Lance. It’s gonna be a long flight.”

I sit in one of the leather chairs, staring out the window at Katya. She’s rubbing her arms and tries to smile, but it contorts into a frown before she turns away.

She said she loved me.

I love her.

But then I remember I’m in love with a liar.

PART 2

Chapter

Twenty-Two

Dimitri

“I’m not going back!” Ian screeches so loud I know his throat will be sore tomorrow.