Page 108 of Silent Ties

I pressed against the door, shaking my head.

“Any other weapons?”

I shook my head.

The rest of the car ride passed in silence. I watched the outside world, not understanding what I saw or where I went.

Wherever it is, it’s not good.

I assume I’ll die here. In this industrial warehouse, that’s empty except for a few metal chairs and a round table to the side.

If they put a tarp down I’ll know for sure.

Max keeps looking at me. When I gain the courage, I peek up only to find him glancingaway.

That should tell me my fate right there.

The Zimins are all about loyalty. I’m the crazy bitch who put everything in jeopardy. And I still don’t know if it was worth it.

“What happened to Daisy?”

Max orders something to a guard in Russian.

“What happened to her body?” Hot tears burn my eyes. Sometimes I think I’m swaying, the floor tilting around me. I don’t care if it’s dirty, I want to lie down on the floor.

A metal door creaks open. Roma and Elijah appear, their faces solemn.

“Drink this.” Max holds out a water bottle. I don’t understand so he forces my fingers to wrap around it. “Drink it.”

It’s cold, dulling the sensation in my throat.

Roma awkwardly stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Uh, you look like you’ve seen better days, Russie.”

He shouldn’t use my nickname if he’s going to be part of the firing squad.

“What did you do with the body?”

“Which?” he trails off.

Elijah picks lint off his suit. “The body you’re talking about isn’t dead. Yet.”

My heart skips, then squeezes so painful I sway again.

“Jesus Christ, brother.” Elijah steps closer. “Get her some fucking chocolate or something.”

“It’s shock,” Roma kindly explains, his eyes shining with worry.

Why are two of the brothers nice while the third, my husband, stares at me with a death wish?

“Please just kill me,” I whisper.

Roma’s head snaps toward his brother.

Max sighs heavily. “Must you always think we’re going to kill you?”

Tears well in my eyes. Isn’t that what they always want people to think?

Roma sits down. “We just have a few questions.”