Page 90 of Stolen Empire

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"Come," he says.

We step into the alley behind the pharmacy, and he releases my arm and turns to face me with a look of concern on his face.

"How much did you take?" he asks.

"I don’t know."

He curses under his breath, then pulls me closer, tilting my head back to examine my eyes.

"Your pupils are blown. You need water. And time."

"I don’t have time." I pull away from him. "God, I feel sick."

"We have time, Katya."

He takes my hand, his grip firm.

"But first, we get you somewhere safe."

"The safehouse?"

"No. Somewhere else. Somewhere they can't track."

He starts walking, pulling me along.

"Stay close to me. Don’t let go of my hand."

I don’t argue.

I let him lead me through the alleys, through side streets I don’t recognize.

My legs are heavy, my thoughts scattered.

But his hand is steady, and I hold on.

This has gotten entirely out of control and I don't think I can keep doing it.

I'm not getting him information.

I'm just putting myself at risk for no reason.

My freedom is worth nothing if I'm dead, but if I don't finish this, one of them is going to finish me.

16

DIMITRI

Ican't stop imagining Katya with a needle in her arm or pills in her hand.

Daniil is going to fucking pay for making her do this.

I should've prepared her better.

I should've known they'd try to test her or push her to do things she'd otherwise never do.

I'm lucky she didn't overdose or they didn't try to make her kill someone.

She's sprawled on the couch now, her eyes too bright, her movements jerky and uncoordinated.

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