Chapter 4

Alexei Mikhailovich sits silently in the low-slung passenger's seat of Dmitri's Storm X9 and says nothing for the entire drive to Dmitri's condo building. Had Dmitri been this nervous as a rookie? But the thought is unfathomable; Dmitri has always been a cocky little shit.

"Here's your keys," Dmitri says once they're inside. "Shoes off, are you a fucking animal?"

The kid scuttles back and hurries to kick off his flip flops. "Sorry," he says, flushing. Piled around him are two enormous duffle bags and a hard-shelled suitcase that looks like it could be hiding a large dog or a…