Panov pulled up at the red light just as Donni ran into the street and was struck full-on by the garbage truck, going way over the speed limit. His body was knocked to the street, and before the driver could react, one of the massive front wheels ran over Donni’s body, crushing the skull.
Cassy watched it happen, all the air emptying out of the world, all of her emotions completely gone, so that she could only sit open-mouthed in disbelief.
“My fault,” she mumbled. “My God.”
“He shouldn’t have run,” Anosov said. “And there is no God.”
Cassy turned to him. “You unutterable bastard,” she said softly.
The light changed, and Panov had to maneuver around the truck and the body. There were no sirens yet.
“What’s so fucking important that he had to die? He never hurt anyone in his life.”
“I don’t care,” Anosov said. “You took something from your company that wasn’t yours to take.”
“I gave it to my boss, you fucking freak!” Cassy shrieked, and she turned away.
Anosov grabbed her by the base of her skull and forced her to face him. “I’ll only tell you this one time, little girl. If you ever raise your hand or your voice to me again, I will make you wish that you’d never been born.”
Cassy stared at him.
“Do you understand me?”
She said nothing.
“We’re taking you someplace where we’re going to fuck you. Me first, and then the others, if I give them the go-ahead, which I may not if you cooperate. Do you also understand this?”
Cassy managed a smile, and she shook her head. “You are so fucked, and you don’t even realize it yet.”