Page 81 of Arseni

As I jump into my car, I try to think of what to do.How to reach Margot in time without knowing exactly where she is.I know the Jag’s information, so I could get the GPS traced, in theory.

But the Bratva isn’t going to help me with that.The Bratva will kill me the second they get the chance, if not by Nikita’s orders than Vitaly’s.Everything having to do with Margot will be pinned on me and me alone.I don’t know how I didn’t see this coming.

I rip my phone from my pocket and dial the only number I can think to call right now.The only person who might be able to help me.

Hudson answers as I peel out of Nikita’s driveway, the mansion in my rearview for the very last time.

“I need your help,” I say, my heart in my throat.

28

MARGOT

My eyes stay glued to the unmarked SUV behind me.

It’s driving too close.Way too close.One stomp of the brake will send them crashing into me.

I’m almost to the police station, only a few blocks away, but I stop at a red light and throw on my blinker.The SUV follows me as I turn.I’m ninety percent sure it’s the police.A detective or something making sure I’m in fact going to the police station.

Which is terrifying as hell.

Because I know I can’t.

I thought I could, for the sake of clearing my name, but I can’t.I’m too afraidHe’llbe at the station, and I find it impossible to believe he would ever let Nikita make a deal to get me off.He wants me to suffer.He’d laugh if I ran right into his arms.

So I can’t go.

I step on the gas to speed through a yellow light, but the SUV doesn’t stop either.It bumps into me from behind, a little love tap in case I didn’t notice them before.

They want me afraid.

Any second, I think blue and red lights will flash and an officer will come on a loudspeaker, asking me to pull over.

But it doesn’t come.And they bump me again.

“Shit,” I hiss, stepping harder on the gas.Horns blare when I dart through a red light, tires screeching to avoid hitting me.I think for sure the SUV will stop, but it careens through, crashing into the front end of an Impala.

I cover my mouth as I gasp, peering in the rearview.It isn’t until the SUV shoves the Impala out of the way, roaring to catch back up with me that it occurs to me this might not be the police.

It might be worse.

29

ARSENI

“Looks like she’s headed for the lake,” Hudson says after hanging up his phone.He looks over at me from the driver’s seat.“The car’s speeding down Route 93.”

“Fuck.”My foot taps as I pick anxiously at my lip.

She’s all right.

She’s gonna be all right.

Don’t panic.

“We should call the police,” I say, as if I can’t hear the siren blaring on top of the car.Hudson insisted on going with me as backup when I called, and I didn’t even hesitate to climb into his cop car.I’m a fucking dead man.

“I doubt your buddies would appreciate that.”Hudson points to the glove box.“Take my silencer out, will you?”