“I just work here.”
He stares at me, and I can tell he doesn’t buy
it. “I’ve been keeping an eye on this bakery for months. A lot of interesting people walk in and out of those doors. Men who haveno business being anywhere near a place like this. And I’ve seen you, working late, unaware of who you’re serving.”
I blink. “What?”
He tilts his head, studying my reaction. “You really don’t know?”
I don’t like how he’s looking at me.
Or the way my stomach churns at his words.
“I serve a lot of people,” I say, my voice light. “Customers. Regulars. Parents picking up birthday cakes for their kids. If you’re implying that I’m involved in something illegal, I think I should call my lawyer.”
He bites back a grin. “Do youhavea lawyer, Miss Graves?”
I press my lips together.
His voice lowers. “Guys like Benedikt don’t just walk into people’s lives. They choose them. And the people he’s associated with don’t stop in for cupcakes.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know what that means.”
He exhales like he’s debating whether to push this. Then, he leans in, and his next words are slow and deliberate. “You don’t think you owe him anything, do you?”
A cold feeling spreads down my spine.
I don’t answer.
Because Ido.
Not because I asked for it or because I agreed to anything, but because of my father.
Whatever deal he made with Benedikt Volkov,Iam the price.
“You’re smart,” he says. “Men like Benedikt don’t do favors for free. Whatever he’s told you, whatever lies he’s spun, you don’t have to go along with it. You have options.”
I shake my head quickly. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His jaw tightens. “Sienna?—”
“I need to get home.” I start for my car, not running, but extending my stride to get there as quickly as possible.
“Miss Graves,” Detective Campbell calls out. “You can help me stop this.”
Fumbling with my key fob, I unlock my car doors and slip inside without incident, locking them behind me.
My phone buzzes and I fumble for it, my breath shaky and my fingers trembling as I read the text.
BENEDIKT:Get home, Sienna.
I suck in a breath, my heartbeat hammering in my ears.
How does he know?
I feel sick.
What am I supposed to do?
