Page 70 of Lost to Thievery
Moments later, I leaned against the brick wall of the alley, blissfully watching Ava eat, while sticking to its shadows—the darkness sheltering me from all the eyes, like we were old friends.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. A text from Hunter’s mom.
Is Ava okay?
I texted back,She’s good. I got her to eat.
That’s sweet of you, honey. Always taking care of everybody. Although, I can’t imagine how you managed it without her knowing. Haveyoueaten anything today?
I frowned down at my phone.I got a burger this morning,I twisted the truth, flinching as I hit send. Ididget a burger. I just never ate it as Ava had come darting out the door of Becket’s apartment like a hoard of demons were after her.
Good. I just want to let you know your father says the invitation was accepted. And Volkov has reconsidered your offer. Be safe. Love you, sweetie.
Love you too, M.
I let my head fall backwards, resting it against the brick wall as the relief flooded through my system. The dominoes I so painstakingly laid out were finally cascading into place. It was just a matter of time now. I just had to keep them all safe until the auction. And keep the FBI on a leash, before they trample all over my city of cards.
I chuckled to myself as Ava swooned after her first bite of the cheesecake, doing a little happy dance I hadn’t seen in forever. I knew she’d like it.
After she was done, she continued her walk, not ready to go back to Becket’s apartment. It was obvious she was avoiding going back there, but why? Was it because she would be alone? Was she afraid? After what happened with Volkov?
God! If I’d only gotten the call sooner. I hated seeing my girl like that. Volkov and especially Vlad would pay. In the most excruciating fucking way. As soon as their boss was dealt with and the dust had settled back over the Bratva. I would make sure the curse they believed Ava had casted over them will be realised.
And I was inclined to break a few of Becket’s bones too, just for good measure. And maybe a few of my own. If she hadn’t known about the paint, she wouldn’t have found Volkov.
I placed two thousand dollars inside the check book as I passed Ava’s table. Shannon did good.
Ava browsed through a few more shops on our way to my favourite bookstore. I made sure she entered the Esoteric Shop, where I once bought the most beautiful necklace for her. I’d always meant to take her, but the world was fucking cruel.
I was happy to see her walk out with a grin and two small bags. If I knew my girl, and I did, it would be filled with crystals and incense. Maybe a dreamcatcher or two. If there was anything I’d learned from watching her sleep for all those months, it was that Ava did her best thinking while asleep. Maybe she unlocked her subconscious in her dream state, somehow. All I knew was that she solved some of my more complicated puzzles after dreaming about it. Some, even my Yale professors would have difficulty with. But it was also how she delt with her trauma. Night after night I’d watched her body lock up, sweat gleaming on her forehead as she furiously mumbled her protest to Digger. On those nights I had pulled her into me, wrapped myself around her and felt her relax against me, all while plotting the most gruesome ways to punish Digger.
I shook those thoughts off before the memory of his screams would pull me from reality. I only had today with my girl. I had to stay present, no matter how enticing those memories were.
While walking around a corner, I grabbed a hotdog off the street vendor’s cart, replacing it with a hundred-dollar bill. That was the third time since I’d known Hunt’s mom that I lied to her. And I hated it. But she had enough to worry about without me adding on with my lacklustre appetite.
“Thank you, sir!” the vendor called out behind me.
As we neared the bookstore, Ava’s eyes snagged on a shop further up the street. She would pass the little bookstore in the alley without even seeing it.
I calculated our surroundings, then crossed the street, quickening my pace. I walked almost parallel to her across the street, making sure to stay out of her periphery.
I watched the people in front of her, predicting their path, while flicking open my favourite knife.
And four, three, two…
I threw the knife, aiming for the front wheel of the guy on the bicycle. From the angle I threw it, it stuck between the spokes.
“Boom,” I whispered, as the bike with the guy on it, flipped over itself.
“And three, two… crash.” The woman walking behind the bicycle, tumbled over them as well, distracted while texting.
“Oh my god!” I whispered in unison with the woman who’d stood nearby, smoking. I snorted. People were so predictable.
Ava dropped her bags and flowers, helping the texting lady up from the ground. They’d crashed right in front of the alley, with a perfect view of the hidden little bookstore.
“Just look to your left, Princess. You’ll love it.”
I frowned. She was not looking to the left. Instead, she made her way to the bicycle, and I held my breath as she helped the man pick it up from the ground. Of course, she would help him.But if she sees the knife… In my excitement, I clearly hadn’t thought this one through.
