Looking up, our eyes met. Those green emeralds are pulling me in. He spoke in a flat tone as he continued. “Those lawsuits that I received were all in your name. I believe that someone above you is using you as a scapegoat. I believe you are a pawn for someone, and you are going to get burned.”
My mind went whirling as I soaked in his words. For a brief second, I was too stunned to reply. Shaking it off, I sat upright as I spoke. “You are surely not talking about Melody?”
Kolya slowly nodded in agreement.
My eyes narrowed as the confusion I felt turned into anger, and my brows furrowed. “No!” I shot at him sharply. “Melody is a kind, caring person. She has always been there for me. She supports me and looks out for me. I can’t believe she would do that.”
Getting up, I was ready to storm out. “Melody has assisted me in every way. She wouldn’t betray me like that!” I added as I turned to leave.
“Sit, let me show you,” Kolya added. His tone was demanding but soft.
Looking at him, I saw him nodding to one of his guards. The man walked over and placed it on the table before me. Slowly, I turned and took my seat. “What’s this?” I asked.
“Have a look, and if you can explain them, then I will believe you,” he said. “She has used your name on every single one of these lawsuits. This is what led me to you.”
Picking up the envelope, I swallowed the lump pushing up in my throat. Opening it, I carefully pulled out the papers inside. “She will not do such a thing to me,” I spat at him. I could hear a slight quivering in my tone. “We have been working together for years. I know her. You surely made all of this up to place blame on her. For what reason you have it in for her, I do not know. But I will find the truth.”
Looking at the first page, I felt my stomach turning. My signature was on the bottom of the lawsuit. “You made all of this up. You are a criminal!” I shot at him. My words tasted like poison. The more I read, the worse I felt.
Kolya banged his fist on the table, making me flinch. I scanned through the papers. There was a document I had not seen before. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it only confirmed that it was all fake. Glancing at him, I noticed his clenched jaw.
On the last page, I found something interesting, so I had to confirm, so I asked him outright. “You are part of a Bratva group? That’s why you spoke about them earlier?”
He looked at me as if I had just been carried in by a cat. Then his expression changed. The smile on his lips made me uncomfortable. “Oh, baby,” he said. His voice laced with sugar. “I’m the leader of said group.”
Chills ran down my spine. There was an influx of spit accumulating in my mouth. I swallowed with great difficulty. This was horrifying! Sirens screamed in my head as reality sank in. Placing the papers down, I pushed them aside. Picking up my fork, I took the last bite of food from my plate.
What were this man’s intentions with me? What if he killed me and dumped me in the woods? Will anyone ever find me? I must stop talking. From now on, I would keep my replies short, less informative. Anything I say, he can use it against me.
No, I thought as I turned my gaze to the world outside the window. I will buy time until I can find a way out of here.
“Did you enjoy the meal?” he suddenly asked, making me jump slightly.
My nerves were shot. His tone clearly indicated his annoyance with me. I kept my tone light as I responded. “Yes, thank you, it was nice.”
“Right then. I guess it’s time for bed,” he added as he got up. “You want me to show you up, or will one of the guards do?”
“I don’t care, it doesn’t matter to me,” I responded, trying to keep the fear from coming through my voice.
He signaled one of the guards, who stepped closer and took hold of my arm. “I can walk! You don’t have to drag me!” I shot at him, pulling my arm free.
He stepped back and waved his hand, showing me to leave the room. I strolled, taking in my surroundings as we headed up to the room I was locked in. I needed to find a wayout. The better I got to know the place, the easier it would be, I convinced myself.
I had just entered the room when the door swung shut, and I heard the lock click into place. Lying down on the bed, I stared out at the night sky until I fell asleep.
Chapter 5 - Kolya
I slept like the dead for the first time since my return. Picking up my phone as I sat up, I swung my legs out of bed. Looking at the screen, I saw it was Mikhel calling.
“Hi, Mikhel, how are you doing?” I asked as I answered.
“Kolya,” he replied hastily. “We’ve gotta meet. There are business issues to discuss.”
“Sure, I just have some things to finish up and will let you know,” I replied, thinking about Sophia.
“Okay, you send me a text to let me know when, and I’ll be there,” Mikhel replied.
I pushed my hand through my hair as I spoke. “Sure thing.”
