My voice is hoarse and dry. “I need help. I’ve been kidnapped.”
14
Benedikt
The buzz of the fluorescent lights overhead grates on my nerves as I lean against the cold wall of the observation room.
Through the one-way glass of the police station, I watch Sienna sitting across from a uniformed officer. Her posture is rigid, with her hands clenched tightly in her lap as she conveys every dirty detail.
The black dress Artem picked out still hugs every curve on her body. The thin straps rest delicately over her shoulders in stark contrast to the tension radiating from her frame.
I didn’t think she’d defy me.
Artem had put the word out, so we’d know in case she showed up at any precinct. I’m not thrilled that I didn’t see this coming. I thought I had made myself clear that I wasn’t going to play these sorts of games.
The officer is nodding sympathetically as she speaks.
My jaw tightens. I’m pissed, but I’m also disappointed. That surprises me more than it should.
The officer stands, says something to her that I don’t catch, and exits the room.
He pauses when he sees us.
“Thank you, Officer Greenberg,” his superior conveys at my side. “We’ll take it from here.”
Officer Greenberg ping-pongs his stare from me to him, confused. “Sir, this woman has been?—”
“It’s handled,” Captain Krupin cuts in smoothly. “I appreciate your diligence.”
Greenberg doesn’t like it. I can see it in his tight jaw and how his fists clench like he’s deciding whether it’s worth it to argue. Finally, he bites his tongue, throws me a look, and leaves.
Krupin doesn’t look at me right away. He waits until the door latches closed behind Greenberg before turning toward me with a restrained fury that comes from decades of loyalty being tested.
He straightens the cuffs on his uniform. “You kidnapping women now, Volkov?”
I don’t answer. He knows I’m not.
Too many headaches. Too risky. And not my cup of tea.
“You hiding them in hotels and dragging them across the country against their will?” His voice is cold and even, but there’s fire behind it. “That’s what I’m hearing in my damn precinct tonight.”
Still, I say nothing. I stare past him through the glass at Sienna. Her legs are crossed, and her hands are twisting nervously in her lap. That dress is still painted on her like a sin.
Krupin takes a step closer. “We’ve looked the other way for a lot of things. Guns. Moving product. God knows what else. Butthis? This is where I draw the fucking line, Volkov. I don’t cover forthis.”
I glance at him and give the smallest shrug. “She hasn’t been kidnapped.”
“Bullshit,” he hisses. “She walked in off the street in tears. You think that looks good for me? For the badge I wear?”
“I misjudged how upset she’d get,” I say calmly, although I feel anything but. “It won’t happen again.”
He exhales harshly and shakes his head. “One more stunt like this, and I don’t care how deep I’m in with your organization.”
I nod once in acknowledgment. We both know it’s an empty threat. I pay Krupin way too much money for him to back out. He rubs a hand over his face, then gestures toward the door.
“She’s in there. You’ve got five minutes to get her out of here. Don’t give me a reason to regret this.”
He leaves without another word.
