RUSLAN
KIRILL: Where are you, bro? You gonna miss your own party?
RUSLAN: On my way.
I start driving, feeling incredibly confident about the launch. This drug will be the crowning jewel in my Bratva empire. Even if I live to a hundred, I don’t think I’ll ever achieve anything this big again.
I’ve only been driving for a few minutes when my phone starts ringing. Kirill has the patience of a f*****g gnat sometimes. I’m so sure it’s him that I don’t even check the name on my screen before I press accept through the steering wheel.
“What do you want?”
“R-Ruslan?”
Immediately, all my sensors start pinging. She sounds distraught. “Emma, what’s wrong?”
“I-I’m so sorry to call. I know you’re busy tonight—the big launch and e-everything…” “Are you crying?”
My hands freeze up on the wheel.
