What would the consequences of this be? As Ithought about it, I realized my breakdown made it appear that I waswho I’d told them I was, and not an agent for Division. After all,what spy would lose it like I had, anyway? Viktor’s cousin took meback upstairs and had me in the living room before the second threeminutes were up.
Upon my entry, Viktor stood up, eyes wide,apprehension written all over his face. All eyes were on me as Iwalked to the chair next to Viktor and took a seat.
The look Viktor had had on his face asAlexander had led me away told me Viktor either knew exactly whatwas going to happen or just knew it would be bad. But of course, hewouldn’t save me from whatever it was either. I wasn’t sure what Ishould say to him when the time came. I said a prayer that I’d comeup with the right thing to further the mission. In the meantime, Ikept my head down and didn’t speak.
“It’s been such a wonderful evening,everyone,” Alexander said, in a sickly sweet voice.
My insides clenched, and I knew at thatmoment that I couldn’t let this evil man get away with what he’ddone. I refused the urge I had to stare him down. We would savethose kids. We would. And there would never be another Hank.Never.
“However,” he continued, “I have many thingsto get done and must end this party early tonight.” He stood up andwalked out of the room.
There was no way I was going to let thisawful man get one more cent from his car thieving gang. He wouldpay for what he did to Hank and those people in his dungeon; theywould never get to their destination. We would save them beforethat happened.
Only then did Viktor reach for my hand. Ijerked it away.
“Let’s go,” he said in a whisper.
I acted like a scared cat as we walked outof the house and to the car. This is how Amber would have reactedafter what she had experienced. I sat as close to the door as Icould, keeping my head angled so I was looking out the passengerside window.
When he touched my leg, I jumped.
“Amber,” he said, speaking in a quiet, sternvoice. “Tell me what happened!”
When I didn’t respond, he huffed and backedout of the driveway. I watched a black van pull into the driveafter we left. That van was transporting those kids somewhere. Iwished I knew where. After about ten minutes, he stopped atProspect Park.
I heard him turn to me. “Amber. Whathappened? What did you do?” He scowled at me.
I shook my head in tiny little movementsagainst the window.
“Whatever you did, you’re going to have tomake it right. You hear me?”
In a flash, I turned to him. “Make itright?” I spat. “That would be impossible! He killed Hank. A boyfrom our school!” I moaned, letting my head fall in a defeatedroll. I kept a moan in my throat, and it sounded like a cat cryingout.
“What did you do to make him do that?”
“Nothing!”
“It couldn’t have been nothing.” He brushedhis fingers through his hair. “I hope you haven’t ruined everythingI had planned for us.”
“He’s the one who ruined it. He’s a monsterand you…you took me to his house. You lied to me. You told me hewas nice. A great uncle.”
“He is. I mean, he can be. I just neverthought. Why? Did he tell you why he took you down there?”
“Something about me being a snoop and himhaving to show me what happens to snitches.”
He gasped. “I guess he found out you’d beenin his office. I told you—”
“You told me nothing. You told me I’d likehim, and I’d feel at home if you took me to that dinner. Well, Ididn’t, and I hate him. I hate him.” My voice evened out, and I seta strong, stony stare at Viktor as I said the last, I hatehim.
He leaned back and put his hands on the backof his neck. “I get it. But I told you, you needed to becareful…”
I scowled at him, and he shrank back just abit and, even though it was way out of character for him, his facesoftened and he said, “I should have gone with you.”
I wrapped my arms around him in one swiftmotion. I’d been waiting for one little show of weakness or maybekindness in him. “I was so scared. Hank. Oh, my gosh! Hank!” I wepton his shoulder for quite some time.
At one point, he pulled me off him and said,“Do you forgive me?”
“I’m trying. I just—” Was he for real? Didhe really have true feelings for me in some small way?
“I get it.” His phone chimed. “You feelingup to lifting tonight?” His eyes searched mine.
“I don’t know.” My mind went to the drive,still trapped under Alexander’s table. We had to find some way toget it back.
He looked back at his phone and sighed. “Iwasn’t really asking. I mean, I was, but you really don’t have achoice. You’ve got to go out.” The real Viktor was back.
I huffed. “Figures.”
“Looks like your first lift is close tohere. I’ll drop you off.”
I looked down at my clothes. “You want me togo like this?” I really didn’t like the idea of being with any ofthe other lifters without any weapons and in the emotional state Iwas in.
“I’m sorry, but you’ve only got twentyminutes to get there, and that’s how long it would take to get youhome.”
“Fine,” I growled. “This night couldn’t getany worse.”
We drove a few blocks when he pulled up tothe curb. He climbed out as I did. He didn’t make any move to kissme, but he put his hand on my stomach to stop me when I started towalk away.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Please don’t makeany mistakes.” There was exasperation in his tone, as if all thebad that had happened tonight was my fault, and my strict attentionto my duties could clear everything up.
I didn’t reply. I
