Page 106 of Silent Ties

“And so will you,” I whisper, knowing deep in my soul she’ll get what she deserves. I’ll make sure of it.

A puff of laughter leaves her chest. My whole body lights with knowledge, I’m so aware of the tiny movement of her finger reaching for the trigger.

But before I can release a breath or before Lev can pull me to his side something else happens. Before Max can snatch me back and take the bullet for himself and before Dmitri can fire a round or Elijah or Roma. Before any of the guards can act, or Gloria’s remaining foot soldiers clock it. . .

Another bullet rips through the air, tearing through Marissa’s head, her eyes widening before she falls to the ground.

The Ghost’s arm remains outstretched.

He wears a mask, almost eerie in the dark except for the neon purple illustrating his face. It’s the only color. Everything else, from the gloves to the boots he wears, is black.

Standing tall, he’s not intimidated to be in the middle of the bratva’s finest.

Marissa’s soldiers run.

I want to ask him why he’s letting them go. But the silence is too tense to cut through.

“Perhaps now is the time to put the gun down,” Lev suggests.

The Ghost’s arm remains outstretched, the gun dragging through the air until it’s aimed directly at him.

“Think very carefully,” Lev says.

I don’t need to see the Ghost’s facial expressions to know that’s exactly what he’s doing. Everything about his being is darkly intense.

Slowly, he holds up his other hand, stopping when guards tense.

Lev remains standing, but not with the same ease as he had with Marissa. This is a man weighing an opponent, analyzing strengths and weaknesses. A thoughtful expression clouds his face.

Both of the Ghost’s hands are now outstretched. One with the gun pointed at Lev and the other. . .

He bends his fingers, motioning for someone to come forward.

A girl on shaky legs passes by. Another comes from the same direction, down the hall. They pass behind him, down the stairs, running for the front doors.

Lev rocks back on his heels.

The interaction is quick. The girls get out and then walking backward, the Ghost disappears the way he came. From some mystery exit.

But first, he nods toward Marissa’s dead body and I understand the hint.

I kick the body so hard it heaves over. Hair flops around, but her neck is visible and so is the silver key around it. Yanking it from her, I stand and turn.

Lev blocks me. “I think there’s some explaining to do.”

I brush past him not giving a damn.

“Russet.” Max is at my back. He tries to grab my elbow but I invade him.

The steel door looms in front of me but this time I have the key.

“What are you doing?”

For a second I think the key won’t work, but Max grabs it.

“What the fuck is going on?” he asks, so only I can hear. I’m sure people hover behind us, but I don’t care. The background is nothing, the steel door is the only thing I currently see. Not Max’s dark, angry eyes or his tight shoulders. Not Lev or Dima.

Max has better luck with the lock, the door groaning.

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