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JOAO

I ’ve just about smoothed over the customs situation in Greece when Valentina stops by my office. “I have good news and bad news,” she announces. “Good news: I have a lock on Dachev’s location. He’s completed his takeover of Bach’s empire and is throwing himself a victory party in Sofia.”

“You think we should attack him there?”

“God, no. Sofia’s a deathtrap. The party is Dachev’s way of celebrating in public. But he also likes to celebrate by fucking the mistress he has ensconced in a beachside villa in Varna.”

“He has a mistress?”

“It’s very hush-hush. And because it’s such a secret, he travels to Varna with only one bodyguard. That’s your way in.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“The party is tonight. Which means Dachev will be in Varna tomorrow.” She gives me a sympathetic look. “I know it’s soon, but this is as good as it’s going to get, Joao. Dachev isn’t easy to locate, and before you ask, finding him in the future won’t be as simple as staking out his mistress’s house. She’s been with him for a year, and he never sticks around for longer than that.”

Fuck.

I hate this. Stefi is going to insist we take off immediately for Bulgaria, and I don’t want her to go. She got shot just five weeks ago, for fuck’s sake, and isn’t fully recovered. The smell of food makes her sick, she barely eats, and she’s even having trouble tolerating coffee.

Valentina might be right, and Dachev might truly be unprotected. This mission might be straightforward, and Stefi might not be in any danger. But I don’t know that for sure, and I’ve learned from bitter experience to never expect things to go according to plan.

I hate the thought of Stef going on this mission with me.

You could just go by yourself, a little voice inside me whispers. You could tell her you have to fly to Athens to straighten out this situation and head to Bulgaria instead. She doesn’t need to kill Dachev—you could kill him for her.

She’d never forgive me if she found out. But would she find out? Valentina might disapprove of what I’m thinking of doing, but she would keep my confidence.

Stefi’s safe in Venice, safe and happy. After so many years apart, we’re finally living together as a married couple. I’m finally able to give her the life she’s always wanted.

One little lie, and she’ll be safe.

One little lie, and we’ll live happily ever after.

Would that really be the worst thing in the world?