Page 15 of Ghost

A low whistling made Mila flinch.She spun around and spotted the guards near the side of the road.

Splat

The woman’s frantic screams brought Mila’s attention back to the old man.A bullet hole ate through the center of his head.

Another whistling sound followed by the shattering of glass.A bullet smacked into the woman’s chest.Blood blossomed on her blouse.

Ice-cold terror rushed through her body.Mila screamed, cupping her hands over her ears as she dropped to the pavement.

Her gaze landed on the old man’s wide, empty eyes.Blood trickled down his face.She squeezed her eyes shut and rocked back and forth, keening.

Rough hands seized her elbows, and she was hauled over one of the guard’s shoulders.“Clean up this mess!”he shouted to the other guard as he stormed back through the forest.

The cool fall wind stirred her hair.Mila kept her hands over her ears, wishing she could disappear.Tears soaked her cheeks.

They died because of me.

Back at the compound, she was carried past the house and into the barn.Her room was tucked at the back, near a small bathroom.Boris tossed her onto the thin mattress and she nearly bounced to the floor.

He threw her a withering look then left, leaving the door open.A beat later, Alexei entered.

His weathered face was creased with disappointment.He snagged a chair from the corner and sat across from her.“Tell me, Malyshka.Why?We’ve given you very much to be thankful for.”He gestured to the bookshelf against the wall.It was fully stocked with literature, as well as markers, paper, beads, and string—enough things to occupy her when she wasn’t training or doing schoolwork.

Lifting her chin, she met his gaze.After a year with Alexei and Irinia, she’d learned he wasn’t the one who’d strike her.He trained her hard, ruthlessly at times, but he’d also shown her kindness.Often he brought her treats and new books—almost anything she asked for.If Irinia knew he’d grown soft toward her, she didn’t let on.

“I want my family, Alexei.I miss them.”She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the long sleeve of her track suit.“I’ll never stop.I’ll find them one day.”

He shook his head.“You can’t say that.”He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.“Never say that to Irinia, understand me?”

“Why?”

His mouth hardened.“She will take everything from you.”He tapped the side of his head with a finger.“Your hope.Your love.Even your memories.”

Mila scrunched her face.“How?That doesn’t—”

“Mila, if you want them safe, you must forget them.”

“No,” she sobbed, shaking her head wildly.“I won’t.”

“Two people were killed today.”His voice was heavy.“I wish I could hide this from Irinia, but because of the couple,” he said, nodding toward the window, “she’ll find out.I must tell her.She will be angry.Brace yourself.”

Tension wound around her chest.“Alexei, why?”she said, her voice a wail.“Why can’t you let me go?Just tell her I ran!I’ll never say it was you.I’ll never tell the police.”

He stood abruptly, flinging the chair back.“No.” His hand sliced the air.“Enough.”He stalked to the door.“Good night.”He shut it, and a moment later the lock clicked.

CHAPTER 6

Leaving the dooropen so the woman would catch the nice December breeze, Ghost sauntered through the snow toward the cabin.Hesitation slowed his steps.He stopped at the door, his hand on the knob, and threw a gaze toward the shop.

The lights blazed and the fans buzzed.Not only would she be freezing, but she also wouldn’t be able to rest.

Which was a good thing.

Should be a good thing.

Exhaustion would make her desperate to talk.He’d have leverage and she’d be in a weakened state.He didn’t feel very fucking good about it, though.The irrational side of his brain came forth once again, and he couldn’t help but entertain the idea of taking her inside the cabin.

No, you moron.