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“Worse?”

“She seesthroughme. Like every part of me, even the shit I don’t let myself think about.”

Rodion’s smile falters. “Damn.”

“She knows I’m dangerous. Fucked up. And doesn’t even try to fix me. She doesn’twantto. She just… matches it.”

“Soundsromantic.What thefuck,dude?”

I smirk and sip my coffee. “You’re just jealous I found someone who could stab me or love me in the same breath.”

Rodion snorts. “That’s some real soulmate shit. The greeting card companies should hire you.” He pauses. “You gonna wife her up?”

But he gets it. He knows.

“Of course.”

“Andthat’swhy we’re on our little errand. No one fucks up your wife and lives to tell about it.”

I nod. “And that’s why this motherfucker’s a dead man walking.”

* * *

Chapter25

ANISSA

I wake up,and even though he told me he wouldn’t be here, I still feel for him.

I like the reassuring weight of him next to me in bed.

I don’t know where he’s gone; all I know is that he asked me to trust him.

So I push myself up, blanket sliding off my shoulders, scanning the room…

And that’s when I see it. A small, pale-blue crystal sitting on the nightstand. It’s smooth, set carefully next to a scrap of paper. I unfold the note.

Supposedly this one wards off nightmares or bad vibes or whatever the fuck. The internet said it was calming. Don’t laugh. It’s pretty, like you.

My phone buzzes with a text, and my heart thumps in my chest. Oh my god, I’ve got it bad. I think I might love the man.

Love. Well, fucking hell.

I really do think I love him.

But when I look at my phone, there’s nothing from Matvei. Just Polina.

Polina

Hey, just checking in. How are you feeling today?

I smile and text her back.

Much better, thanks.

Polina

Oh good. I know that Matvei is out today, and I also know that he’s put heavy security at the gates for you. Didn’t want to wake you, but he was chatting with Rafail early this morning.