Page 54 of Ace of Shadows
“Shesaysshe doesn’t know anything, but maybe she doesn’t know that she knows.”
Thinking back to the picture of her father, I nod slowly. “You think she’s hiding something.”
“Unintentionally, maybe. Either way, you need to be sure. You’ve primed Kraven to explode, so you have to be certain he’s the fuse.”
“You’re right. I’ll talk to her. Properly, this time.”
One way or another, I have to get the whole truth out of her.
One more misstep from me, and the entire criminal underworld will implode and no one will walk out alive.
17
IVY
Despite Valentina’s warning about Ruslan, it’s impossible to stay away from him.
He’s by my side every single day, taking care of me, supplying my medication, helping me back and forth to the bathroom, even as my strength grows. He remains a loud presence when the doctor returns to take more scans of my head to ensure the bleeding is healing, stands by my side as my poor ankle is examined, and remains in my room every night until I fall asleep.
Weeks trickle by, and before I know it, there’s a warm June sun in the sky, and a month has passed since the disastrous shootout at my parents’ house.
My balance is steady, headaches are a thing of the past since the staples were removed from my forehead, and the thin, pink scar melts easily into my hairline. With my ankle finally healed enough that I can walk with only a slight twinge deep within the joint, my recovery is almost complete. The doctor advised thatit’ll be tender for some months as ankle injuries don’t always heal completely and told me to be careful.
I promise her I will be and thank her for her diligent care over the past weeks.
Then I look for Cassian. I’ve grown to know the layout of the two-floor apartment like the back of my hand, and after grabbing some coffee from the kitchen, I find Cassian and Ruslan working out together in the gym.
Cassian’s been throwing himself into his recovery, working to regain his lost muscle tone and strengthen himself so his scars heal without issue. He’s flat on the bench with his fists curled around a bar weighed down with weights I don’t dare count. Ruslan stands over him at his head, his gaze fixed on the bar and his hands poised in case Cassian gets into trouble.
“Come on,” Ruslan encourages, his bare torso shimmering with a light sweat. “One more. Come on, you fucker, one more.”
Cassian grunts, fighting back a laugh as he strains and roars. The weights lift and he straightens his arms, holding the weight above him for a few seconds. Then Ruslan’s hands come forward and together they haul the bar back onto the supports.
“Fuck,” Cassian groans, his arms flopping down to his sides.
“You good?” Ruslan slaps his shoulder then lifts his head and catches my eye. “Ivy! Look at you.” His eyes travel slowly south and when they reach my bare feet, he smiles. “You get the all-clear?”
“Yup!” I lift my foot and wiggle my ankle. “I’m completely mended.”
Cassian groans and sits up, flashing me a light, exhausted smile. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”
“How are you?” I ask, trying not to stare at the fresh pink scars on his shoulder and back as he stands. “Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” Cassian grunts, grabbing a towel from the nearby bench. “I’m always good.”
Ruslan snorts. “That sounds like code, but he really is fine.”
I narrow my eyes slightly, uncertain. “Are you sure? I kind of wanted to thank you again for?—”
“For throwing you out of a window and giving you a brain bleed?” Cassian’s shoulders tighten, then he turns to face me. “You shouldn’t thank me for that.”
Ruslan remains nearby, his eye on us as he thirstily gulps down mouthfuls of water.
“Cassian, you saved my life. You deserve my thanks.”
“Ruslan saved your life. I nearly took it.”
“Cassian—”
