Page 83 of The Gentleman

“He makes jokes!” Gage clapped his hands. “There’s hope for you yet, Viking.”

Leo switched lanes, taking a turn that would get them back to his apartment faster. “I’m Russian.”

“Could’ve fooled me with that build. What do they feed you up there? You know all that muscle just makes you an easier target for drones?”

For Kat. I’m doing this for Kat.

“Look.” Gage’s tone shifted, growing serious. “I don’t know what your game is with my sister, but?—”

The car’s dash lit up. A call.Kat.

Leo pressed the answer button. “Kat?”

Her breathing was uneven. “Leonid—” Her voice fractured.

Leo’s pulse accelerated. “What’s happened?”

“It’s—” A broken sound, half-sob, half-gasp. “I’m at Jane’s. She’s?—”

“Kat? What’s wrong?” Gage leaned forward, all snark gone.

“It’s Jane—she’s dead.” A choked, animal sound came from her throat. “Leonid, I need you. I need you now.”

“I’m on my way.” Leo swerved across lanes, horns blaring. “Don’t move. I’m coming.”

The call cut.

Leo hit the accelerator. The Jag surged forward, slicing through traffic as his mind raced. Kat Landon never fell apart.

Ever.

He glanced at Gage. The smirk was gone, his face sharpened into something cold and focused. For the first time since the cuffs came off, Gage looked like a man with something to lose.

“Drive faster,” Gage said quietly.

Leo floored it.

For once, they were in perfect agreement.

36

Leo tookthe stairs two at a time, Gage behind him. They’d abandoned the Jag half on the curb and bolted for the building.

Kat’s broken voice echoed in his head.Leonid. I need you.

When they got to Jane’s floor, her door stood ajar. No police tape, no official presence. Just an open door and silence.

His hand found his weapon as he pushed inside, the hinges protesting with a muted creak.

The smell hit him first. Copper-sharp and unmistakable. Blood.

Jane lay sprawled across the pale carpet, dark blood pooling from her head. Her eyes were open, fixed on nothing. Her phone lay shattered nearby.

Kat kneeled beside her, hands trembling above Jane’s shoulder—Jane, whose powder-blue scooter had saved their lives just days ago.

“Kat.” Leo crossed to her.

“She was still warm when I got here.” Her voice was flat. “I tried... I checked for a pulse, but...”

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