Chapter 76
They found a diner two states over. Small town, off the beaten path, the kind of place where locals minded their own business and strangers were just passing through.
Adrian had called Maria back after twelve hours instead of twenty-four. Couldn't wait any longer. Needed to get this over with before he lost his nerve.
The meeting was set for noon. Public enough to be safe. Private enough to talk.
She sat in the booth beside him, the baby in a carrier on the seat. Viktor and Nadia were positioned at separate tables, watching the exits, watching for FBI backup or Konstantin's people or any threat.
Adrian hadn't spoken much since they arrived. Just stared at his coffee, jaw tight, hands clenched on the table.
"You don't have to do this," she said quietly. "We can still leave.
