She sits on the bed still crying, for f*****g Niko. I pace the room, restless, wanting to comfort her but she already slapped me once. It didn’t sting the way she wanted, so she tried again, and I had to shove her down onto the mattress. Now she’s there, face buried in her hands, refusing to acknowledge my presence. “Why didn’t you wait for me?” I snap, though what I really want is to speak softly. I am too riled up, fueled by the image of Niko’s audacity, dragging Claire away like that. Insubordination like his usually ends with a bullet between the brows, but I didn’t pull a gun because it’s Niko. I can’t believe he did this. Niko and I have known each other since high school. He was vice commander of our gang, just as he is now my chief of security. I’ve done everything with him, rais

