The train began to pick up speed as it left the station. It wasn’t packed, but more passengers rode with us than before. That thought gave me some comfort.

“Whatever you did, undo it. Now.” Martin growled. Sweat beaded along the hard lines of his brow and muscles under his left eye twitched under an internal strain.

Kseniya had been doting on him the entire time we had been waiting and it was taking a visible toll on the man. He didn’t bat an eye when discussing killing people or getting entangled with the police, but something about this situation put him on edge.

“Oh Marty, don’t be so harsh on him.” Her voice was loving and she cupped my cheek with a soft hand. “Don’t listen to him, Yurochka, I know you’re a good boy.”

Martine’s face darkened with her words.

“I told you I wanted to be treated better,” I reminded him. “That means respect.”

“It’s because of people like you that people like me were created! I’ll gladly give you the respect you deserve-” He paused for a moment. “Ekaterina , please.”