Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Because I want to know the truth.”
“There. You have the truth. Molchanie is an assassin. An expensive one too.” He stands slowly with a grunt. “You have wasted both our time.”
“You know more than you’re saying. What connection do I have with her?”
He flinches back, staring at me. “Why would you think you have a connection to Molchanie?”
“She keeps mentioning me to Seamus.”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“You’re lying. Ask some of your Moscow contacts. This is important, Papa. Lives are at stake.”
“I told you already, I know nothing and I cannot help.” He walks away, angrily shaking his head. “This is typical of you, Alina. Your silly mind plays tricks on you.”
“I’m not being silly.”
“Aren’t you? Accusing your father of knowing something about a woman like Molchanie? She is dangerous. That’s all you need to know.”
“Papa—”
“Enough. No more. Do not ask me about that woman again, do you understand? No more!”
He storms out. I watch him go, surprised at his anger. I didn’t expect him to spill everything he knows, but I also had no clue mentioning Molchanie would make him that upset.
Clearly, there’s a lot he’s not telling me.
Which is extremely frustrating. I have three days to hunt down Molchanie, or at least to find out why she cares about my marriage to Seamus so much. Papa could help if he wanted, but it’s clear he’s not going to.
“Katya? Can you do me a favor?” I find the housekeeper in the hallway pretending to dust a dresser. She does that when she wants to hang around while looking busy.
“Anything at all, Alinochka. I just hope you can forgive your father. He can be so difficult sometimes.”
“That’s fine. I’m used to it. But I want to know where Taras is.”
She looks surprised. My much older brother and I never got along very well. We’re half-siblings, and he always treated me like a nuisance at best.
“Taras is in the gym downstairs.”
“Thank you!”
I stride past her and head into the basement. I find Taras sitting on a bench, sweaty and catching his breath, idly scrolling on his phone. He’s got his usual scowl on his face and glances up when I call his name.
“I didn’t know you were home,” he says, not sounding happy about it.
“Just here to ask Dad about something, but he wasn’t helpful.” I sit across from him.
“I doubt you’ll get more out of me. I’m still not finished with my workout.”
“What do you know about Molchanie?”
He frowns slightly. “The assassin? Not much. She’s expensive.”
“Dad said the same thing.”
“Because it’s true. Twice as much as anyone else. But she’s very, very good. Always gets the job done and cleans up afterward too.”
“Papa wouldn’t talk about her. The second I mentioned her name, he acted all strange.”
He grunts, tilting his head to the side. “He’s been strange for the past few days, actually. More reserved. Hiding in his office. I have no idea what’s going on with him.”
“Think it’s got to do with Molchanie?”
“I doubt it.” He puts his phone aside and glares at me. “Are we done? I need to get back to lifting.”
“Pleasure as always, brother.”
“Half-brother,” he corrects, which I knew he would.
I leave him to his weights, my brain working in circles.
Papa knows Molchanie. I don’t know if they’re close or if it’s something else, but they’ve got a connection. I’m absolutely sure of it. But I don’t know how that loops around to me.
I need to figure it out.
If I can, I might be able to stop Molchanie from killing again.
Chapter 27
Seamus
“Wish I had more for you,” Finn says, shaking his head miserably. “We’re scouring the city, but New York’s a big place. Molchanie could be hiding anywhere.”
“Anyone mention working with her? Anyone take a contract out?”
“Not that I’ve heard, but you know how it is. You hire an expensive assassin, you don’t actually want to talk about it.”
He’s got a good point. “Keep pushing. There’s gotta be something we can do.”
Finn agrees and finishes off his drink. We’re sitting in Alina’s apartment near the windows. He glances over at the view and pauses, smiling to himself. “You seem like you’re in a better mood. And I’m guessing since you wanted to meet here—” He raises his eyebrows.
I stare hard at him. “You nearly hit her with your car.”
His expression falls. “It was an accident. She walked out into traffic. Honestly, she’s lucky it was me. Anyone else would’ve run her down.”
“Stop getting involved in my marriage.”
“Stop acting like I’m not being extremely helpful.”
“Finn—”
“Look, you’ve been such a difficult prick these last few days. It’s not like you at all. I just want the old, happy Seamus back.”
“And I want Molchanie’s head severed from her body.”
“Let’s all get what we want.”
“Here’s hoping.”
“Honestly, I was just trying to help. I was checking up on her, and I know you care even when you pretend like you don’t.”