Page 144 of Mafia and Scars

It should bring comfort. But it doesn’t. Because my thoughts keep drifting to how I’ve started thinking and dreaming in color. The colors appearing in my mind are too sharp. Too warm. Like something I can’t scrub away. My brain’s supposed to file things into tidy categories—black, white, threat, non-threat. But now it all bleeds together. Feelings and memories run together to the point I can’t tell where the past ends and the future begins.

I don’t like it.I don’t like color. And I don’t like change. Because change means risk. And vulnerability.

I snap the laptop shut. The plan is made. My contacts confirm a time and place. Everything is ready. The next shipment where Gennady shows, I’ll do it. End him and walk away before his body even hits the ground.

But I still don’t feel settled.

My routines have been disrupted just like my thoughts. Avelina has changed everything. My room, now sprinkled with pastel candles and her clothes. My schedule, quiet nights in instead of chaos. But I didn’t fight it. Iwantedit. And that’s the scary part.Because I care now.

My phone vibrates. Nikolai’s name flashes on the screen.

“What?” I grunt.

“We got ‘em. Leaving a casino off the Strip. Headed east.”

“Anyone with him?”

“Two vehicles. The drivers are Albanian soldiers.”

“Keep eyes on. Don’t engage,” I say in a terse tone.

“You sure Gennady is involved?”

“Positive.”

“You know what this means, Viktor?”

“I gave my word to Avelina. I know what it means. I’ll take the heat.”

“Ending an FSB agent is gonna bring attention,” he sighs.

“Yeah.”

“And you’re good with that?”

“Never been more certain.” I hang up. It’s happening. Whether it lands me in prison or dead, I don’t care—because there’s no other option open to me.

We reach the freight yard after midnight.

My plan was simple. One shot. No witnesses. No trail.

But the area’s deserted. Gennady and the three SUVs are fucking gone. All that remains are tire tracks in the dust.

I want to rage. But I don’t.

They’re smart. But not smart enough.

Because Nikolai’s drones are on their trail.

Which means that I’m going to fucking find them.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

AVELINA

Viktor has been quiet since he got back last night. I know things didn’t go as planned—and that he’s still not found Gennady.

I try to push that all to one side and concentrate on Sofia.