Chapter 20

• We step in to the elevator in silence, and Yelena lets go of my hand, wrapping her arms around herself as if to ward off the weight of whatever thoughts are pulling her down. I’m no expert in reading people’s emotions, but even I can see that something’s bothering her—something she’s not ready to share.
• “So, what do you say?” she asks, her voice picking up that false cheerfulness again. “Shall we get a nice drink and some food? You know, in case Dmitri’s written us off for the evening.”
• I chuckle, taking her up on the offer. “I’m sure if he could avoid eating with us for the rest of his life, he’d be thrilled.”