I creep closer to the door, though it’s not necessary.I’d be able to hear them if I was anywhere in the vicinity, and don’t need to be close.There’s an alcove near my father’s door, though, and I want to get close enough to hide if anyone shows up.
I might be the second-in-command here, but people might still frown if they found me listening at doors.
By the time I get closer, my father is shouting at the Russian again, and honestly I’m shocked at how brave he is.That man doesn’t sound like he takes kindly to disrespect, and though I don’t know what their agreement is, I suspect it includes the Russian having the money and power while my father handles the day-to-day operations.
I also secretly agree with the Russian.It’s incredibly irresponsible of my father to not have some security on the warehouses.I understand his point about the video proof of girls being trafficked, but given the danger of the enterprise, it’s crazy not to at least have guards.
Though it certainly made breaking the girls out easier.
I nearly smile at that, but freeze when the Russian continues.
“We’ve invested millions, Dominick.Millions!And you lose it as though it’s nothing.Do you want Vladimir to get involved?He will be here within days if you don’t tighten your organization.You have a mole, a breach in security, and if we have to handle it ourselves, it will go badly for you.”
“Handle it yourselves?”Dom screams.“This is my operation!This is my house!I’m in charge of the daily operations, and you know it!We have a contract that says as much, and Vladimir would never–”
His words end in a scuffle and a strangled yelp, and something thuds against the wall, directly next to my own head.I jump back and hit a rack of umbrellas next to me, and they clatter to the ground, making so much noise I’m sure even the neighbors could hear it.I turn and tense to run, convinced that my father and his Russian friend must have heard, but they’re having some sort of physical fight in there now, and the bangs and grunts must have distracted them.
I pause, torn between running and waiting to hear more of what’s going on, because this is exactly what I’ve been waiting to hear.Vladimir must be the man in charge of the money, and therefore my father’s rich partner, and though I don’t know what we can do with that information, if I can get it to Lucien...
I wait a moment too long.The door opens so suddenly that I freeze and the Russian is standing there, his broad back to me and his voice still carrying loudly across the room.He finishes what he’s being saying and turns before I can run.
The moment he sees me, I know I’m in trouble.
“The spying little bitch,” he snarls, grabbing at me like I’m nothing more than a cockroach.“She is not the girl you think she is, you fool.”
Fuck.
There’s no way to misunderstand those words.He knows I”m a plant.Somehow, he knows that I’m spying on them.
Maybe because I’m standing outside the door literally listening to their conversation.
Or maybe because he’s seen all the things my father has been refusing to acknowledge.
I jerk against his hands, trying to get away, but it’s already too late.He slams me against the wall, wraps his fingers around my throat, and starts to squeeze.
Lucien
Ihit the accelerator harder, pushing the car to speeds it doesn’t think we should be traveling on city streets, and spare a glance for Daniel in the passenger seat.
He looks like he also doesn’t think we should be going this fast, but since he’s not driving, he doesn’t get a say in the matter.
“Siri, call Luke!”I shout at my phone.
She gives me some form of ‘yes, master,’ then makes the call, and seconds later my cousin is on the line.
“Get to the Landry mansion,” I tell him quickly.“Now.I need backup.”
He doesn’t ask any questions and doesn’t bother to even say goodbye.Just grunts and hangs up.And I think for the millionth time that I need to put more time into training that kid, because he’s going to be a very solid backup when he gets older.
Though I’ll think about that after I get through the next hour or so.
IfI get through the next hour or so.
Christ, that’s a hard thought to have, but the next one is even harder: I might already be too late.If the Russian is there and Mikhail phoned him to tell him I’m on my way and have been asking questions, we’re all dead men walking.
And Brooks might already be gone.
My phone rings and I glance at the screen, expecting Luke or even Brooks, but it’s my father.
