Page 78 of Stolen Empire

It's intoxicating and it casts a spell on me so that I almost make a mistake.

"You're a bastard," she hisses.

"And you are done."

I pull the gun from my waistband, aiming it at her feet.

"Go. Before I decide you're not worth the trouble of letting you walk away."

Her eyes widen.

For a moment, I think she might break character.

But then she scrambles backward, clutching the money to her chest.

I fire three shots into the dirt at her feet.

The sound cracks across the paddock, grabbing everyone's attention.

Horses rear in their stalls.

Grooms shout.

Katya stumbles, then turns and runs toward the gate.

I'm going to have to give Rolan a sound answer for this, but the plan seems to be working.

I lower the gun, watching her go, as do my three fellow watchers.

My heart is pounding, adrenaline surging through my veins.

But I believe it’s worked.

The performance was convincing.

Now I just have to wait and see if they take the bait.

I glance toward the far rail.

The three men are still there, watching.

One of them is speaking into his phone.

The other two are focused on Katya's retreating figure.

I holster the gun and walk back toward the training office, ignoring the stares from the crew.

Gavriil is waiting by the door, staring at me.

I can't read him right now, but I assume he has his doubts.

I haven't let any of my men in on this job I'm doing, but he knows Katya is staying at my house.

Still, the fact that I've turned her loose in a public way instead of just killing her and having him dispose of the body actually works in my favor.

He'll think I've broken up with someone I care about.

It's harder to kill the ones you love.