Page 13 of Lethal Deceit

I swallow and try not to flinch. “I need another passport.”

Irina mutters under her breath in Russian. “I’m an artist. You think I can pluck one out of the air?”

I try for a casual smile. “You’re a magician. Everyone knows that.”

She laughs, and the cool metal leaves my temple. “You look like crap, Samantha. Here, come, have a drink. Then we talk business.”

The last thing I feel like is vodka, but I’m hardly in a position to decline. I settle down on the velvet couch and watch as she pours two fingers of vodka.

My gaze locks on the glass as she hands it to me. I lift it to my lips and linger before I see her tip hers back. She may be my ticket out of here, but that doesn’t mean I trust her.

I swallow in one gulp, hoping that’ll lessen the hit my empty stomach will take. “I need a Canadian passport.”

Irina frowns and takes a drag of her cigarette. “And you need it?”

I tap my finger on the top of my index nail. “Overnight.”

She throws her head back and laughs. “She thinks I’m a miracle worker now!”

As much as I dislike being mocked, I laugh along with her. “Can you do it?”

Irina’s mouth twists to one side, exaggerating her wrinkles. “No.”

My stomach drops to my toes. “No?”

“Nyet,” she says, repeating it in Russian.

“I have the cash.”

“Da. But you are not worth the risk.”

I slowly rise to my feet. “You took my money…”

The gun appears in her hand almost as if she were a magician. “Proshchaniye.”

I raise my hands, backing up. “I’ll pay double.”

She shakes her head and advances on me, shooing me out of her office.

“Triple,” I say.

Her eyes narrow. “You’re not worth it.”

The familiar sting of rejection stabs into my chest as I straighten up, pull my shoulders back, and try to project confidence I no longer feel.

I step out into the bright sunshine, and my shoulders start to itch. Like someone is pointing a gun at my back, just waiting to pull the trigger. With practiced care, I tuck away my emotion, hold fast to the hope that I can still convince Juan to transport me, and walk toward where I parked my car.

I have less than twenty minutes to make a decision, and if I get it wrong, my next mistake could be my last.

Four

Mick

After hustling to throw a few things together, including extra ammo and handcuffs, I’m ready to leave. Technically, I can’t arrest anyone on land, but I can detain someone while the PD is called.

I flick Brooke a quick text so she knows I’m not going to be at home for a while then follow Caleb outside. When he gestures to it, I toss my bag in the back of the black Jeep parked out front and climb in.

Heavy metal fills the interior, making me wince. Never been a fan of that kind of music. I’m not even sure if it qualifies as music. Noise, maybe.

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