The cuffs are a challenge, but I've seen worse.
It takes me a few minutes, but I have her freed and rubbing her wrists before she can cuss me out again.
"Who are you?" she asks. "What do you want?" Her voice trembles a little, and while I do have that effect on people, I gather that there's more to this than meets the eye.
"You don't remember me." I walk calmly toward the window, glancing out before turning back to her.
"I remember you saved me six years ago. I remember sleeping with you was a mistake. I don't remember asking to be kidnapped."
"I didn't arrange this," I tell her. "Someone sent you here as a message for me. They're threatening me."
"What are you talking about?"
Her face contorts in confusion, so I pull the note from my pocket and hold it up.
"This was pinned to your jacket. It's from my enemies. They're telling me they know about you and the child."
She goes completely still.
The color drains from her face.
"They don't know anything," she says dismissively, but I know she's lying. Just the way her face blanched tells me that much. "Sofia has nothing to do with you."
"Sofia." I taste the word on my tongue and realize how much I like it. "How old is she?"
"None of your business."
"Answer me!" I shout, and it startles her so much, she jumps.
People do not disrespect me—ever.
"Five… almost six. January is her birthday."
The math confirms everything.
I got her pregnant that night.
She disappeared before she could tell me.
She's been hiding my daughter from me for six years.
"She's mine," I say.
"No."
"Don't lie."
"I'm not lying." Her voice cracks and she starts rubbing her wrists again, but this time, I know it's out of nerves.
"You don't know her. You have no right to her."
I step closer.
She backs up until she hits the wall.
I plant one hand beside her head and lean in until I can see every fleck of gold in her green eyes.
"Someone knows she exists," I say. "Someone knows she's connected to me. That makes her a target. That makes you a target. If I send you away, they'll find you again. They'll use you to hurt me, and they won't care what happens to either of you in the process."
