airport. All around us people yelled and screamed at airline clerks. I caught a few curse words here and there. And still more airlines put up closed signs with no warning.
“Check your phone and see what’s going on around the airport.”
“Yo.” Max pointed to the airline counter that we were waiting for. “They just put up a sign. Can you read it?”
I squinted. “I’m barely able to understand it. I suck at reading Russian. I’ve got a few road signs, but not much else.”
It didn’t matter. One of Aeroflot’s clerks strolled over to me, passing several people that stood in front of us. “Ms. Chambers?”
How did she know my last name?
I blinked. “Yes.”
“Ms. Chambers, the airport is closed at this time.” She pursed her lips. “Due to this inconvenience, we believe the Omni hotel would be able to accommodate you.”
“Thank you.” I flashed an annoyed smile and grabbed Max’s arm. “Let’s go.”
He gave me an odd look. “The Omni hotel.”
Kaz had worn a wicked smirk. “I like the Omni hotel. Just the right amount of luxury. Good security since the brotherhood owns it. Stay there for this evening. I’ll have Zahkar make the arrangements.”
“You don’t tell me where I’m going.”
“I do.”
We headed away.
I zipped up my jacket. “The Omni hotel was Kaz’s recommendation.”
“So, he’s the reason why the airport is closed?”
“I’m sure of it.”
“If he can shut down an airport, then he can close bus terminals and ports.”
“Probably.”
“If he can block all ways out of Moscow, then where do we go?”
I stopped near the exit of the airport. Through the double doors, I spotted Pavel waiting by his car. He held a white sign with my name written in English. He’d taken out his ponytail and let his hair flow in the breeze.
Currently, I wanted to grab him by the hair and shove him on the ground.
Don’t be mad at Pavel. He didn’t do anything.
Groaning, I looked back at Max. “I have no idea where we can go.”
Boris hurried through the double doors. “The lion’s men are outside.”
“I noticed.” I bit my lip. “Kaz shut the airport down like he said he would. Max and I think the bus terminals will be closed, if we go there too.”
Shocked, Boris widened his eyes. “Probably.”
“Kaz said I wouldn’t be able to leave by train, bus, or anything else. I don’t know where we can go without him blocking it.”
“Kapotnya.” Boris leaned his head to the side. “That may be the only place. The brotherhood controls the district, but in the end. . .everyone would protect you.”
“I don’t need protection from Kaz. I just want a place to hide until I can figure out the next step.”
Boris motioned toward the doors. “Then, let’s go to the district.”
“For this to work,” Max jumped in, “we’ll need to go in a way that they can’t follow or find us.”
I checked Boris. “Any secret ways to get to Kapotnya?”
Boris gave me a wicked smile. “You like tunnels. There’s an old sewer system that doesn’t work anymore. Some go down there to sleep when the winters are brutal. I’ve slept down there myself. I can get us there. It might be a bit stinky.”
Max frowned. “Are there rats?”
I grinned and walked off. “Of course there will be rats.”
“Man. . .” Max moaned in annoyance. “I’ve been living the good life in Saint Petersburg. I return to Kazimir and you, and now I’m bombing cities and walking through sewers.”
I winked at him. “Welcome back.”
We left the airport, passing by Pavel and his stupid sign.
I got in the back of my car. Boris drove. Max manned the passenger side.
We hit the highway minutes later.
Boris checked the rear view mirror. “Once I get rid of Pavel and his people, I’ll take you to the first opening to the tunnel. Luckily, it’s outside of the district.”
“Yeah. Luckily.” Max pulled out a joint and lit it. “An old Russian sewer? It’s probably not just rats down there. I’m definitely going to need to be high for this.”
Speeding up, Boris drove in and out of lanes, making some vehicles swerve.
The silver gray Mercedes S600 cruised down the freeway, travelling south. I lounged against the soft leather. I could barely hear the 389 horsepower or 6-liter engine, but I could feel the power of the car. One hundred thousand pounds worth of German engineering.
Boris increased the speed.
The Mercedes leapt forwards. This was a beautiful machine that chuckled at high speed limits.
I turned around and gazed out of the back window. “We’ve got some good