Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“Why?’
“It makes you harder to predict if someone’s after you,” he says with a shake of his head. “Your guards at home should’ve told you these things.”
“I don’t have guards at home; I have one guard, and he’s old, nearly deaf, and half-asses everything. My father doesn’t care. All he cares about is the money in his wallet, how he looks to the public, and his reputation.”
Markov doesn’t reply but a muscle ticks in his jaw as we slow down near an intersection that has a few shops already open.
“Now are you hungry?” I nod, my stomach churning at this point.
“I would kill for a cup of coffee.”
Markov smirks. “I’d kill for a lot less.”
I snort, but a part of me can’t decide if he’s joking or not.
He steers us to a vacant shop with little seats on a paved patio out front and a small menu. My mouth waters at the smell of newly-baked pastries and the rich, warm scent of fresh-brewed coffee.
“I don’t have any money with me,” I tell him.
He gives me a withering look. “Have you not figured out by now that I’m a very old-fashioned husband, Vera? You won’t pay for anything with me. Let’s get coffee and food so we can head back and get ready before your first session.”
We’re both covered in sweat, and my hair’s a mess, but no one seems to mind. I predictably choose an Americano to his classic black espresso, and we buy a few traditional sweet buns.
As we leave, Markov looks both ways, up and down, practically in every darkened doorway and behind every bush. I’m not sure why he’d think anyone would follow us here, but if they did, they’re invisible.
“Why are you constantly checking to see if anyone’s following us?”
“Vera,” he grunts.
“I know. I know it’s your job, but no one’s here. No one’s followed us.”
“Anyone good at what they do can practically blend into a crowd,” he says tightly. “Believe me, I’m very good at it myself.”
Finally satisfied we aren’t going to be bombed, shot at, or abducted in the near future, we walk back to campus, eating our sweet buns and drinking our coffees. “Tell me about the work you’ll do today,” he says, sipping his coffee. I’ll have just enough time for a quick shower before we meet.
“I’ll have to check back to the itinerary to see what’s next.”
“Can you tell me the gist of it?”
“Of course. How much did you understand of what we discussed last night?”
His brows furrow. “Let’s just say I gathered that you were all scientists,” he begins. God, he looks so adorable when he gives me that look. It’s the only time I’d use the word adorable or cute about him.
I fill him in in layman’s terms as best I can. “So today could be any of those things. A simulation where we’re in the middle of a war-torn area with a soldier who has just been brought in with life-threatening injuries. A high-stakes threat where our mock environment’s been hit with a biological weapon. Or disaster response to a natural disaster and we have to allocate resources and set up triage areas. Advanced trauma support training. Our training involves everything from staying calm under intense pressure and trauma to learning how to do things like parachute, building shelter to survive, and mental resiliency.”
“Ahhh,” he says, nodding. “So that’s why you brush your teeth with your left hand.”
I’m not sure why it pleases me so much that he actually connected that or freaks me out that he misses nothing. “Right. Doing small things with a non-dominant hand will help you grow resilience. It’s similar to the whole ice bath thing.”
“Got it.” He shrugs. “Well, I can definitely help you with disaster response and trauma support if you need me to feign a few scenarios. Happy to fuck up that asshole American so you can bring him back to life.”
“I’m not sure that will be necessary, but thank you for being so helpful,” I say as we make it back to campus.
“Stay back when I check things out.”
This time, I don’t push back or argue. It would be stupid not to go along with him, and a moment later, he gives me the green light.
We get ready quickly, but we’re the last ones to arrive. I’m surprised when he actually comes inside with me.
“Irina said I could.”
“Oh, really?” Why is she being so amenable? Then a thought crossed my mind. “Markov,” I whisper. “Did you threaten her?”
His gaze grows thunderous. “No. Do I need to?”
My heart thumps and I shake my head. “No, please don’t.” I glance at the time. I can’t discuss this any more.
Jake smirks at my damp hair and wrinkled top that didn’t travel so well. I kind of rushed in the end, but I figured it would be fine since we’d be covered in a lab coat.