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As I was forced into the back of the police car, the girls ran outside.

Their shocked faces, and Viktoria pressing her phone to her ear, were the last things I saw before the car pulled away.

In the car, the radio crackled to life. "All units, be advised—the Ivanov family has been notified. Expect immediate retaliation. Request backup at the station."

The officer driving glanced at me in the rearview mirror, and for the first time, there was fear in his eyes.

"Lady, I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into," he muttered.

My stomach twisted.

Fear, nerves, apprehension?

I didn't know, maybe all three.

What the hell was Pavel going to say when he found out that after weeks of begging for a little freedom, he had finally let me outside without him…

And I ended up in police custody.

The radio crackled again: "Detective Morrison, you need to know—we just intercepted communications. The Russians are mobilizing. ETA fifteen minutes to the station."

Fifteen minutes.

Pavel was coming, and he wouldn't be coming alone.

CHAPTER 30

ALINA

Ihad no phone. No money. No identification.

For all I knew, these police officers could be taking me to some black site off the grid where I'd be swallowed whole, out of reach of the law.

FML.

No.

Stop it.

I was letting my love of true crime podcasts get away from me.

The hard plastic seats of the squad car dug into my tailbone as I strained to listen for any more news about Pavel over the police radio.

I leaned forward and tried to get the attention of the two officers. "Where are you taking me?"

The one in the passenger seat turned his head and said something to the driver in Spanish.

They both laughed.

A sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

Something didn't feel right about all this.

I concentrated on the passing buildings and each turn the car made, just in case.

Fuck, why hadn't I asked Pavel if he had my phone and wallet?

With a start, I realized it was because I hadn't needed to.