Felt more than a little bit guilty about lying to Narek, but then reminded myself I was doing this for his benefit. And besides, Elias didn’t control what I did or where I went, and I certainly didn’t answer to him.

So I slipped out of the building determined not to feel like a criminal, even though I felt like exactly that.

Still, I needed to do something, and while a walk wouldn’t fix this, it might give me some clarity. I walked quickly until I was out of sight of the building and then slowed to a more leisurely pace, my mind turning over the problems I faced with each step.

This…engagement was one, but I still had the debt to consider as well.

Elias hadn’t arranged any more deals for me, and that needed to change. At the very least, having the debt off my plate might give me more leverage.

That seemed right, and as I thought about it, I realized that might be the very reason Elias hadn’t given me more. I wouldn’t put it past him to try to keep me under his thumb however he could. The next time I saw him, I’d ask. And knowing Elias as I did, I knew he would tell the truth.

Funny how I was so certain of that when I shouldn’t have been certain of anything, not when—

“Kayla?”

At the sound of the familiar voice, I felt my skin start to crawl and wasn’t surprised when I saw Vahe in front of me.

He was less than five feet away from me, and I wondered how he’d managed to get so close without me noticing.

Something to consider later, along with having a conversation with myself about paying attention to my surroundings.

For now, I needed to focus on Vahe. He’d never sought me out before, and I couldn’t say he had this time, either. But it was strange that after all these years we’d meet by coincidence.

I was on full alert.

He approached with two guards flanking him. “You’re out here all by yourself?” he asked when he stopped in front of me.

There were literally hundreds of people on this street, but it may have well as been just the two of us.

He was dressed in ripped black jeans and a T-shirt, a look that made him look older than he was, though I knew he was going for the opposite effect. He took two steps closer, and I wrinkled my nose when the scent of stale tobacco hit me.

“So it seems,” I finally responded to his question.

He tilted his head. “Is that safe?” he asked.

You tell me, was what I wanted to say, but I held my tongue.

The moment passed, then another, before I said, “Do you need something, Vahe?”