“So,” Bastian says in a way that draws the attention of everyone in the room. “Here’s what happens next.”
He stops pacing. We all hold our breath.
“Sage leaves Chicago tonight,” he declares. “With Eliana and Yasmin.”
That goes over like a wet fart.
Yas is the first to blurt out. “Who do you think you’re—”
I add, “On what planet were you elected dic—”
Zeke: “Bro, that seems a bit—”
But it’s Sage whose voice rises above the racket. “f*****g excuse me?” he roars. “Like hell I will! You don’t get to decide my life.”
“This isn’t a negotiation.” Bastian’s pacing resumes. “Aleksei touches down in Chicago in thirty-six hours. Maybe sooner, depending on how fast he hears about everything that’s happened. And once he does, he’s going to tear this city apart looking for you. All three of y
