IT WAS a subdued but unwavering Misha who went back into the office, once again drawn to the Texas road map on top of the pile on his desk. He’d spent so much time studying it, he knew it by heart. Every highway, every street. He could name each of the two hundred and fifty-four counties; point out every little speck of a town blind. He’d traced the lines with his gaze and fingers over and over, knowing Riley was out there somewhere, driving one of those roads, living in one of those towns. Misha felt a bit closer to him when he was touching the map, as though maybe, if he wanted it enough, was tenacious enough, he’d be able to reach through the paper and grab the man. Hadn’t worked so far, but that didn’t stop him. His need for Riley had never been entirely rational.

El Paso. He circled the city with his index finger, round and round. El Paso.

Hold still, you stubborn bastard. Let me get to you. We’re not done yet.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Somehow, he wasn’t particularly surprised to see Andrej slip into the room with a “man, we’re up shit creek without a paddle again” expression on his artfully unshaven face. Misha knew that look well. He’d seen it a lot when they’d been kids and the two of them had gotten in trouble on a regular basis. The last time Andrej had looked this unhappy, Misha had ended up with those fucking stars tattooed on his shoulders and knees. The ones on his shoulders were to show he was a high ranking member in the organization, the ones on his knees indicated he knelt before no one… which was ironic, considering how often he’d been on his knees before Riley.

“What?” he asked, instantly alert. “What’s gone wrong now?”

“Long version or short one?”

“Just tell me.” Misha’s patience was starting to run thin. Figured, that after two months of nothing, everything would happen at once.

Andrej grimaced and waved his cell phone at Misha. “I don’t know what you told your dad, but he didn’t buy it. He’s on his way to New

Orleans… and he’s bringing Anton.”

Anton. Oh shit. So much for avoiding that particular disaster. Well, all right. Misha mentally shifted gears. It was time to get moving, and honestly, he was grateful for it. He’d been getting desperate for action.

“Does he know we know?” he asked, already striding from the room.

Andrej shook his head, falling in step with him and watching him warily from the corner of his eye. “I talked to Nadia. She doesn’t blab. So what’s going on?”

“Mama,” Misha told him, ruefully. “She’s scheduled an engagement party.”