Chapter 39: Konstantin

Sunday. Rose House. Arlington, VA.

KONSTANTIN GLANCED AT HALEY'S grim face. She hadn't said much since they'd ditched their borrowed car at a grocery store parking lot. He wanted to know what was bothering her, but it was all he could do to keep Ivana and Zasha moving forward.

A single car horn blast nearly startled him out of his skin.

Haley whirled, her gaze searching the busy street.

"This is our ride," she announced.

"What?" Konstantin turned as a shiny black SUV eased up to the curb.

The passenger window rolled down and a man wearing a black uniform coat with white gloves and a hat perched on the back of his head leaned toward them. "Ms. Griffin?

"Yes." Haley grabbed the back door. "Everyone in."

Konstantin helped Ivana into the SUV. She was on her last leg. She'd begun wheezing when she breathed. There was no more pushing her.

Zasha, on the other hand, was wrapped around him like a monkey. He didn't even try to untangle her. He went to the other side and clim