Page 82 of Blood & Snow
Igor's car sits exactly where I left it, exhaust visible in the cold air.
Through the rear window, I can see Nadya's silhouette waiting.
I slide in beside her, and she turns to look at me, taking in my appearance with careful eyes.
"Is it done?" she asks quietly.
She knows, just by looking at me, she knows how much bloodshed there's been.
"Yes," I feel nothing, but judging by her expression she feels it all.
The fear, the anger, the anxiety.
"You have blood on your coat," she points out.
I look down.
She's right.
Spatter across the front of my jacket, probably from close-range work.
"I'll need to change clothes," I tell her.
"And the warehouse?"
"Will need cleaning."
Understanding dawns in her eyes.
I lean forward and tap Igor's shoulder.
"Drive closer and park at the loading bay."
"Sir?"
"There's work to do."
Igor nods and pulls the car forward, and Nadya sits straighter, her hands smoothing down the fabric of her dress.
"You want me to clean it. Tonight."
"The scene needs to be handled before authorities show up and start asking questions. Evidence removed, blood cleaned…"
It was supposed to be a special night for us, a way for me to show her my world isn’t all about the killing and business.
And it didn't go at all the way I hoped.
She's quiet for a long moment.
When she speaks, her voice is steady.
"What do you need me to do?"
Pride smells in my chest at her response.
As twisted as it is, her willingness to yield to me and follow my orders is a gift.
"I can let the men handle it…" I tell her, offering her the only way out of this that I can.
