“Here’s my problem.” Kozlov begins, back to his reluctant bad guy tone. “Your brother owes me a lot of money, and I have no reason to believe he can pay.”
“I told you…” Jake’s attempt to cut in is met with the tiniest tip of his head by Kozlov.
The closest goon steps forward and punches him hard in the stomach, folding Jake in two, leaving him doubled over and coughing for air.
“Yes, yes, I heard you. Things in motion. And I hope for both our sakes that it works out.” Kozlov waves dismissively. “But I’m a businessman, Jake. I need some guarantees. Collateral. Insurance.”
He looks me dead in the eye as he utters the last words.
I glance around my tiny apartment. There’s nothing of value here for him to take.
Unless...
No.
“My car?” I ask, already knowing that’s not what he means. I try to sound calm, but everyone in the room can hear the fear underneath.
Kozlov shakes his head, inching closer, looking almost sad that I’m pretending to be so completely clueless.
“I don’t understand.” I try again, praying I’m wrong.
I clutch my trembling fingers together and look at Jake, who has utter devastation in his eyes as Kozlov tips his head back and laughs, a big, booming laugh, at my expense.
“Nice try.” Wiping fake tears from his eyes, he looks around at his men, who are all grinning and shaking their heads, clearly also in on the joke.
Me.
“Then let me explain.” Kozlov’s eyes meet mine again before they trail up and down my body in a lecherous pass that leaves me feeling sick and violated. “You have certain valuable assetsthat I’ll get good money for, but they’re definitely not your home or your car.”
Jake surges forward, hand outstretched to grab Kozlov’s lapel. “If you touch her, I’ll kill you.”
The man by the window moves so fast that I barely see it. One moment Jake is threatening Kozlov and the next he’s being pistol-whipped before laying face-down on the floor, arm twisted behind his back. The man’s knee presses into Jake’s spine, who grunts in pain as another one of Kozlov’s guards leans over and presses a gun to my brother’s temple.
“Say that again?” he dares.
“Please.” The word tears out of me. Please, don’t hurt him.”
“As I was saying.” With a sigh, Kozlov continues like nothing happened, like I’m not pleading for my brother’s life. “I need collateral. And it occurs to me that you, Emma, would serve nicely. An incentive for your brother not to fuck things up this time.”
The world tilts before me, and my vision wavers.
“What?” The word comes out strangled. He can’t mean what I think he means.
Jake stares up at me, the utter devastation written all over his face, telling me that yes, he does.
“Simple. You come with me until Jake gets his affairs in order.” His tone is sharp, leaving no room for argument. This isn’t a suggestion. He’s made up his mind. “Hopefully, it’s merely a temporary arrangement.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you.” Jake bucks, attempting to twist out of the other man’s grip and get back up on his feet again, but when one produces a gun, he’s quickly forced back to the ground with an agonized shout.
“Stop, please.” I beg as the crunch of a boot connecting with ribs makes my stomach lurch.
“You can’t take her…” Jake protests, refusing to listen, to give up and stay down. Only at the click of the safety being released does Jake freeze, blood trickling from a split lip.
“Enough.” Kozlov sounds bored. “This is all very simple. Emma will be our guest until you pay what you owe in exactly one week. She’ll be safe until then.”
My heart pounds, chest tightening, at the idea of going anywhere alone with these men. As my panic builds, a loud buzzing noise fills my ears, and their voices drift away, sounding as if I’m hearing them from underwater. I reach out a hand to steady myself, suddenly light-headed.
This can’t be happening.
