Page 6 of Deadly Knight

However, the feeling of something evil permeates the air until I’m all but choking on it. It’s the same sensation that’s beenlingering since spotting Papa talking with Katya earlier. She waved the situation off, but my instincts suggest otherwise, that there was more happening than either will admit. Alarms in my head demand I take Katya home, where she’ll be safe.

If only Papa was at the mansion when I popped by earlier. While Katya was having a celebratory dinner with her parents, I went home to confront him about his appearance this morning, but he was conveniently wrapped up in meetings downtown and refused to be bothered. He avoided me, which makes the twisting in my gut even more painful.

Katya nudges my hand, the one holding a beer bottle that’s full minus the one sip I’ve drunk. “Of the two of us, it’s unusual you’re the one stressed.”

I’m stressed because I need to keep you safe, and I don’t like this feeling.I can’t tell her that. She’d think I’m crazy.

“I’ll relax once the deal is over.”

Her smile falters slightly, but she accepts my answer, which isn’t a complete lie.

Four years ago, when Papa scoffed and refused me attending public school, Ursin agreed. He saw me as an easy in to an entire other customer base he otherwise struggled to reach. Drug use is rampant in schools and, being a fellow student, it’d be easier to get business within the building. Gain their trust—and money—when they’re young, and those remaining in Moscow after today will continue to seek Bratva product. Ursin was thrilled at the idea of having an inside man whom students would trust and have quick access to.

Being that tonight’s a party, there’s already been a couple drop-offs, mainly at the start of the night, that went off without a hitch. A quick exchange of money for the product, and Katya and I were quickly on our way. The buyers were all classmates and didn’t linger for long.

There’s one more drop-off scheduled in another fifteen minutes by the edge of the forest. It’s one Papa set up when local club members wanted to buy. Agreeing to the drop made his bitching over me attending this party a bit better, since it’d save one of our other runners from coming down here.

It’s about a five-minute walk from here to the meeting place, so I hand Katya my beer to hold and stare meaningfully at her, letting my look say more than my words, given our audience. “I’ll be back in a few. Stay here.”

Last thing I need is her at an exchange with strangers, during a time when the nearest people are too drunk or stoned to hear themselves think, let alone be helpful.

“Oh, okay.” She glances behind me into the forest, understanding my true meaning. “Hurry back.”

Taking her words to heart, I jog a few feet away before immersing myself into the treeline. My destination is on the other side of the forest where no one will see or overhear us.

Quiet steps rush behind me, the crinkled grass and sticks cracking beneath the person’s weight. I’m already turning, anger sizzling when she catches up, slipping her hand into mine and using the momentum to swing to a stop in front of me. Her free hand catches the back of my neck, and she tugs me into a heated kiss I’d otherwise love to continue and hate pulling away from.

“I told you to stay.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Since when hastellingme gotten you anything you’ve wanted? Besides, not like I haven’t watched you deal before. And since we’re out here…” She bites her lip, her eyes jumping around the darkness with her suggestion. The hand holding onto my neck slides around to my front, tracing my chest until stopping at the waistband of my jeans. “Figured we could celebrate on our own.”

She’s so damn sexy and playful, it pains me to order her back to the party. But my stance remains. It’s not safe for her, because I don’t know who I’ll be meeting.

“Katya, please?—”

Crack.

It’s a noise similar to the ones heard when she ran after me no less than a moment ago. But also much louder. Heavier.

Someone’s here.It better be the someone I’m meeting up with, despite this not being the agreed-upon location. Still, my heart thumps faster. Instinct has me moving Katya behind me, my hand on her waist as I scan the darkness, searching for whoever made the noise. I want to tell her to go back to the party while also wanting to keep her by my side, because at least here, I’ll be able to defend her.

“Dimitri—”

“Shh.” I hate being short with her, but it’s not the time for conversation.

My gaze completes another sweep. And then another, spotting nothing among the shadows. It must have been an animal, so with a final squeeze of her hip, I release her.

“Please, Katya. Return to the party. I’ll be there soon. Careful where you step.” Thankfully, the glow of the bonfire behind us lights up much of her path, so the closer she gets, the easier it’ll be for her to see.

She rolls her eyes but grins regardless. “You’re so damn protective. Good thing I love you.”

Crack.

“Well, ain’t that sweet.”

By the time I have Katya in my grip again, knife from my waistband in my other hand, we’re swarmed by four bodies walling us in. Katya gasps, pressing close to me, and I jab the knife in the direction of the one closest to us.

“Stay the fuck back.”