First message
Maks moved through the crowded Manhattan sidewalk with his hands buried in the pockets of his coat, gaze fixed on the man half a block ahead.
He’d been following him for twenty minutes.
Another turn. Another block. Another few minutes, and he’d know exactly who the man was meeting.
Then someone slammed into his shoulder.
Maks barely moved, but the stranger stumbled, and two phones hit the pavement between them.
“Oh— I’m sorry.” Maks heard her light voice quickly apologize as his jaw clenched with annoyance.
She crouched quickly, snatching up a phone before Maks could even register which was his. He picked up the other, barely glancing at the device before straightening.
His target disappeared around the corner.
Fuck.
Maks turned after him, jaw tightening, as he darted off without even giving the woman a proper look.
He followed his target for another three blocks before reaching into his pocket..
Maks pulled it out quickly— then paused.
Pink case.
Not his.
His eyes narrowed.
Slowly, he tapped his thumb on the screen and a floral background appeard. Locked, of course.
No access.
You’ve got to be fucking with me.
He looked back down the street.
And for the first time that evening, Maks Volkov felt something dangerously close to panic.
Because somewhere in Manhattan, an innocent woman was carrying his phone.