He laughs softly. “No, of course not. But you could have a role in my game if I think you’re deserving.”
“Can we stop with the analogy? Just tell me what you want.”
“Direct and to the point. I like it.” He eats more of his tart. “I need you to demonstrate that you’re willing to follow my command. And if you pass a small test, you’ll be rewarded with a call to your sister. And, assuming you don’t traumatize Blake and she’s willing to work with you to rebuild your relationship, I’ll set you a new task,” he says. “Is that clear enough?”
Dread wraps around my chest. I know it’s going to have something to do with Reid. What if he wants me to betray him? I thought Reid was the enemy once, but I know differently now, and I’m not about to fall for Ilya’s smooth words. All the players in this game are not the same.
“What task?”
“Nothing too strenuous. I simply want you to tell Barrett to fire Jason. I don’t want anyone on this property that isn’t under my control.”
I’m shocked, but there’s a part of me that’s relieved too. “I can’t just ask Barrett to let him go.”
“Please pay attention. I didn’t say Barrett should let him go. That would be far too simple, and this is meant to be a challenge after all.” He grins. “I want Jason fired. And by that, I mean I want you to file a complaint about his inappropriate behavior. I’ll leave it to you to fill in the detail, but I expect you to destroy his reputation in the process. If you can force him to leave the area, I might throw in a bonus. Maybetwocalls to your sister.”
I stop pretending I can stomach the chocolate tart and slump back against my chair. Jason’s done nothing wrong. He doesn’t deserve this. “Why do you like hurting people so much?”
He chuffs out a laugh. “We all take our enjoyment where we can, and I like to watch how people react in extreme circumstances,” he says. “And you, I might add, are doing so well.”
The bastard is praising me. “Gee, thank you. That means such a lot.”
He laughs some more. “Do you ever speak to Barrett like that?”
“I’ve never felt it necessary.”
“Because he’s never elicited a deeper emotion fromyou,” Ilya says, almost to himself. “Your relationship is purely professional?”
“Yes,” I say through gritted teeth, revolted by how he’s discovering so much about my sex life.
He seems to think on this for a while. “I did wonder if he had bigger plans for you. Your boss is making a nest for someone, isn’t he?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Then make it your job to find out,” he says slowly and carefully.
I dare to feel some hope. “Is that going to be my other task?” I wouldn’t have any qualms about betraying Barrett. I just don’t want to do anything that would endanger Reid or his brothers.
“Hunter Griffin stole his bride last year,” Ilya continues as if I haven’t spoken. “Barrett could still be planning to steal her back, but if he’s looking for a commiseration prize, she would have to compete with Maddison Corbyn.” He pauses to look me up and down. “It was never going to be you.”
“I’ll get over it.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Are we done?”
“For now,” he says with a shrug. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow evening and I want Jason gone by then. You have my permission to continue speaking to Reid. It’s imperative that you maintain links with the Griffins so that you don’t raise suspicion.”
“That’s big of you.”
In less than an hour, this monster has me at his mercy. How did that happen? Why am I letting it happen?
“But,” Ilya continues. “You do not tell Reid anything about this conversation. Make up whatever story you like, but you will not tell him that I know your true identity.”
“How did you find out?” I ask. I knew my cover would be blown eventually, but Mace hasn’t been able to figure out who I am yet, and I’d hoped to fool the Russians too.
“I have ways and means, but with you, it was ridiculously simple. Do you think I didn’t have my men tracking your every move when you visited my Blake in Atlanta? Did you think a new style of hair would be enough of a disguise? I knew who you were by the time Barrett employed you.” He slaps his hands down on the table. “Now, back to business. Complete your mission by tomorrow evening, and I’ll hunt you down before I leave so I can give you your reward.”
I want to shake my head and refuse. I can’t let him control me so easily. He’s already given me more than I dared hope. Blake’s alive. And if they’re still a couple, maybe she’s actually happy with her life. Maybe I don’t need to take this any further.
Unless Ilya’s making it up.
He’s more than capable of dangling hope in front of me so he can snatch it away again. But if he is lying about Blake, I’ll find out tomorrow. Then what? Why waste his one and only move to force me to do something as petty as getting Jason fired? No. He can’t be lying.
