Page 80 of Emerald

I stand up so we’re eye to eye, not a centimeter’s difference between our heights. I’ve never hit my brother before, outside of training. But I’ll hit him now, if he tries to stand in my way.

“I’m still in charge here,” I tell him.

“I know you are,” Dom says, his blue eyes darker than usual. “I’ll follow you anywhere, brother. But I won’t let you go to your death alone.”

The time is ticking away. I told Remizov I would be at his place in an hour. If it comes down to a fight with Dominik, I think I’ll win. But I might seriously hurt him. And I’ll be worn out before I even leave, besides being late.

Taking him is not an option. I’m well aware that my chances of returning home again are minuscule. I’ll need Dom to take over for me here. He’s the only one who can.

So he can’t come with me.

It’s not happening.

Unless . . .

I’m thinking fast, remembering who else we have in the house right now.

“You can come,” I say to my brother. “But just you. And Zima.”

“Zima?” Dom says in surprise.

“Go get him,” I say. “Ask him if he’ll help us with something.”

Dom looks at me suspiciously, like he thinks I’m going to try to sneak away while he’s retrieving Zima from the TV room.

“I’ll wait right here,” I promise him.

Dom nods and disappears down the hallway.

Sooner than I dared hope, he returns with Zima slouching along behind him. Zima’s light brown hair looks messier than ever, but at least he’s been showering since he came here, and we got him some new clothes.

“You need something, boss?” he says.

I know he’s only calling me that because everybody else does. His tone is mildly mocking. But I hope he means it too, in his own way.

“You know Remizov’s house?” I say to Zima.

“Yeah.”

“Do you think you could hack into his system?”

Zima shrugs.

“I could try.”

* * *

We drive in separate cars.I tell Dom five times over that he’s got to wait at least twenty minutes to even leave the compound, and he’s got to drive the long way round. If Remizov’s men are watching this place, if they have the slightest clue I’m not coming alone, it will all be for nothing.

Dom agrees, though I can tell he doesn’t want to.

He takes Zima with him, and they wait in Dom’s GLK while I pull out alone in my Hummer.

As I drive to Remizov’s house, I don’t feel any fear for myself.

My concern is all for Sloane. I doubt she went quietly when they grabbed her in Moscow. I should have made Remizov put her on the phone, to make sure he hasn’t hurt her.

But I don’t think that’s his way. He won’t risk killing either of us until he has the flash drive safe in hand. After that, all bets are off.

---