Page 110 of Mission Shift

Nik let out a dry chuckle of amusement. “Well, that’s convenient. She’s into him. Good. Now ditch her.”

The line inched forward, and I remained in my place—I wasn’t going anywhere. I had to get to her. Nik’s voice cut back in, sharper this time. “Braxton, break away. Now. She can’t see you yet.”

My pulse kicked up. “Why?”

“She’s rattled. If she reacts to you, it blows your cover. Move.”

I lowered my head down in frustration and shifted gears. Magnus caught my eye, taking note of the change in my behavior.

“I’ll be back,” I muttered.

Magnus gave the smallest nod, already stepping closer to Katya and pulling her into conversation.

Good man.

I turned on my heel, slipping between the bodies, heading for the west side of the ballroom.

Nik was still in my ear. “Go to the veranda overlooking the river. Wait there.”

I moved through the crowd with ease, going over the layout of the mansion in my mind—visualizing every hallway, every staircase, every exit. I moved down a hallway and turned a corner, then slipped out onto the veranda that was situated between the east and west wings of the home, the cool air brushing against my skin as I stepped toward the railing.

Below, the Neva River stretched into the distance, its water dark and churning, glistening in the moonlight.

I leaned against the veranda railing, slugged back the last of my drink, and set the glass down. Crossing my arms, I kept my stance relaxed, resting one elbow on the cool stone while I watched the movement behind the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the ballroom. The party pulsed with activity, champagne flowing and music drifting through the air. I waited for my next move.

Nik’s voice cut through my earpiece. “Malinov’s moving. He’s pulling her into the center of the ballroom.”

I straightened slightly. “Can you see her?”

“Yes.” A brief pause. “Wait. Jesus. She’s gagging on something. He made her eat that fucking aspic. She’s running. Heading east, looking like she’s going to puke.”

“She must be heading to the bathroom near the elevator at the east end. It’s the only one in that direction. I’m on my way.”

I turned, moving calmly along the veranda’s edge before slipping back through the open terrace doors. No rush—just a man enjoying a party, making his way back toward the ballroom for a drink refill or a conversation he didn’t give a shit about.

Nik murmured in my ear, a live update: “She looked desperate before she went in. Might make a break for it.”

My hands curled into fists. There was a window in that bathroom but also a considerable drop to the ground below.

“Then I’d better move,” I muttered, cutting through the crowd.

A server approached, offering me a fresh glass of champagne. I brushed past without a glance, zeroing in on the east hallway. If Daria was considering an escape—with that poison-loaded device in her arm—it meant she was cornered enough to risk death. That meant whatever Malinov had planned for her was terrifying.

Nik’s fingers pounded against his keyboard. “Good news—sort of. I’ve got a solution for the device, but it’s not foolproof. You’ll have to be fast, surgical. I’ll guide you through how the device works, but once we start, we’re on the clock, and you’ll have to pull off some paramedic magic. Shit! Wait. Slow down. She locked the door. One of my people will have to grab a key.”

I exhaled sharply through my nose and slowed my pace. “Tell me where to get what I need.”

“Swing by the dessert table just inside the ballroom. There will be a woman who will pass off the key. Act natural.”

I veered inside the ballroom, heading to the dessert table. After placing a chocolate and cream confection on a small plate, I reached for a napkin and a fork. Just then, a woman came up to the table carrying a stack of cloth napkins.

Nik’s voice hummed low. “Target incoming.”

She passed by without a glance in my direction, her fingers grazing my jacket as she slipped something into my pocket with the seamless precision of a professional. I kept moving, taking a quick bite of the treat before setting it on a passing server’s tray, then continued toward Daria.

Nik chimed in, “Good. Now let’s get your girl.”

After exiting the ballroom, I turned down the hallway and took a left, locking onto the bathroom door at the end. The corridor was empty. Perfect.

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