Page 98 of Maksim

But his support isn’t real. It isn’t good enough. I decline his call but hesitate to turn off the phone.

Staring at my missed call from Anya, I try not to think about the fear she must be feeling. The confusion.

Does she understand why I left?

Does she… Does she know I didn’t abandon her? Her brother will keep her safe. She has an army in front of her. She’s safe. So much safer than Asher or Bora or Mami. She must know this.

Biting my lip, I go to my voicemail and listen to her message.

“Elira,” she says, her voice strained like she’s upset. “I’m with Tanner at his uncle’s house right now, and umm...” The line goes quiet for a moment, the calm before a storm. Sobs erupt, making me press the phone against my ear. “Can you please come get me? You and Maksim were right. He isn’t a good guy. I should’ve listened, but… Please don’t tell Maksim. Just you.” She sniffles. “I’ll text you the address.”

End of message.

Does she not know the danger we’re in?

In a panic, I go to call her, but it goes straight to voicemail.

Damn it.

Damn it, damn it, damn it, Anya. What are you doing?

I bring up Maksim’s contact, ready to text him where she is, but the hurt in her voice gives me pause.

It’s her life at stake. He has to know.

And I have to leave.

If I call, he’ll catch me.

If I don’t, Anya is in danger. She already is.

If Maksim goes there… If he loses it—which he will—and hurts that stupid boy…

Anya would never forgive him.

But…

Asher.

Bora.

Mami.

They are the ones I’m supposed to be saving. Not Anya. Not the sister of the man who constantly betrays me.

But…

“Even when I hated you, even when I was ready to kill you, I never would’ve stood by while she was harmed. Never.”

My own words. Were they a lie?

I think about it for a long time. Too long with the phone in my hand that was only supposed to be on for a minute.

My eyes close as I growl.

I make note of the address Anya sent, shut off the phone, then sprint three blocks before finding two young boys to give me a lift to Maksim’s car. One pitstop to make before Mexico.

Tanner’s uncle’s house is bigger than I expected given the state of Tanner. And nicer. It’s modern, sleek, and gray on the outskirts of Las Vegas, with a pond surrounding it that strikes me as abnormally large even with limited experience of American homes. The few neighboring houses are spread out between acres of shrubbery that allow privacy.