Once I’m gone and out of Dima’s life, Zotov won’t care about me anymore. Arnie will be safe and well. So if I have to hold a knife to his neck to get what I want, then so be it.
“You aren’t going to die, Arnie. Neither now nor later—unless you go back on our deal. If you do, I’ll kill you and search through every piece of paper in this office until I find what I’m looking for.”
Arnie narrows his eyes at me, sizing me up. “You’re a nice girl. You wouldn’t do it.”
I press the point a bit harder against his neck, my knuckles white from gripping the handle so tight. “Do you know how many nice girls have done horrible things to protect their children? I’m not a nice girl right now, Arnie. I’m a desperate mother to a baby boy who needs me. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
My voice soun
