Page 96 of The Forbidden Center

“Okay.”

He waits. The restraint costs him and I can hear that too.

“If I do not find an employer to sponsor me, Tova and I have fifty-one days. At most. Then we have to leave.”

Colt is silent for one beat. Then another.

“What do you need from me?”

The answer is already there.

“Come to the apartment.”

“When?”

“Tonight. Seven.”

“Okay.”

The speed of it catches under my ribs.

“And I need you to listen until I have finished.”

A pause. Not long. Long enough for me to hear the part of him that wants a task.

“I can do that.”

I look at the receipt on the seat, and the number written on the page inside my bag.

“Do not bring anything.”

“Astrid.”

“I mean it.”

His breath moves once across the line.

“Seven.”

I end the call before courage can turn itself into preparation.

His name is still in the lawyer’s handwriting underneath mine.

At seven I will put the clock and Sweden and every lawful path between us on a table, and I do not know what he will do when he reaches the last one.

Chapter seventeen

Colt

Sully puts Roman on the offensive side of the last draw and sends me to the other dot with the penalty killers.

Nobody announces a demotion at practice. They change the color of your jersey and wait to see whether you understand.

I pull the blue one over my head.

Mack skates past and knocks his glove against my right shoulder. “Pretty on you.”

“Brings out my eyes.”