Page 13 of Terror at the Gates

Maybe I was just more paranoid because I was keeping vigil with a dead body.

Where thefuckwas Zahariev?

Just then, I heard a sound, like the slamming of a door. While I hoped it was Zahariev, I couldn’t be sure, so I shifted closer to the counter and drew my gun, heart racing as I waited for whoever had joined me and Abram to appear.

“Lilith?”

Relief washed over me when I heard Zahariev’s voice, something I did not feel too often.

I holstered my weapon and popped out from behind the counter. I was surprised by how quickly he came toward me, stopping when he was near, eyes raking down my body. It wasn’t a sensual look. It was an assessment.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, slightly annoyed, though I didn’t know why. Maybe it was because I knew his concern was for hisballs, since he’d promised my father he’d take care of me while Iwent through this phase—my father’s words, not mine.

“Where’s Coco?” I asked, looking around him like she might be trailing behind, but no one was there.

“Why would I bring your friend to a crime scene?” he asked.

“Don’t call it a crime scene! I didn’t murder anyone.”

The corner of his mouth lifted.

“I’m so glad you find this amusing,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I don’t find this amusing,” he said. “I findyouamusing.” He stepped past me, and I turned to follow. “Where is he?” he asked.

“Behind the counter,” I said, nodding toward it.

Zahariev approached, silent as he leaned over to look at Abram. I watched him, swallowing around the thickness in my throat. After a few seconds, he straightened.

“What happened?” he asked, eyes meeting mine.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I was trying to sell the fucking knife I stole.”

“I thought you didn’t steal,” he said.

“God, I cannotstandyou.”

His lips twitched. “So what? He looked at the knife and died?”

He said it like it was a joke, but it wasn’t.

“Yes,” I said. “Exactly.”

He frowned, eyes narrowing slightly. “Let me see the knife.”

I wasn’t sure why I hesitated to give it to him, maybe because I was still hoping it might solve some of my problems, even though it had obviously caused me more.

“Lilith,” Zahariev said.

“I know, okay,” I said, frustrated as I handed it over. I knew I wasn’t getting it back when he didn’t even look at it as he slid it into his pocket.

We stared at each other for a few seconds before he spoke.

“I thought I told you to go home,” he said.

“Can you not scold me right now? I told you rent was due, and that fucker, Paul, keeps raising it.”