He stands. “Anytime, Miss Mooncrest. I have to tell you from the investigation I’ve conducted on your client, you need to be very careful.”
I blink. “Why is that?”
“He’s ambitious and he’s strong, and he has no problem killing. If I were you, I’d pass this case off to somebody else.”
It’s too late for that. “I appreciate your warning, but I really do think my client is innocent.”
The detective bursts out laughing. “Then you’re in the wrong business, sweetheart. Trust me.”
TWENTY-SIX
Ella
My backpack slung over one arm, I hustle through various crowds to reach my favorite coffee shop. I have no idea why Rosalie texted me earlier to meet here this morning, but I trust her instincts. I keep to crowds, like she told me, until I reach the correct block.
I’m wearing jeans and a light sweater, since I think it’s going to rain, and with my Keds and my backpack, I pass for a student. That works for me. I stop and wait for the light to turn before crossing the crosswalk, my mind spinning.
Her text that morning had held certain urgency, and I’m concerned for her. I’ve already talked to Alana, and we have a plan to get Rosalie out of the country if we need to do so. We’ll have to rely on Thorn, and I don’t like that, though Alana seems perfectly comfortable with the fact. Of course, the guy’s in love with her, and she’s safe.
That, of course, is what keeps him safe. From me.
I’m concentrating on reaching the coffee shop when I hear the opening of a door that causes a warning to tick down my spine. I pivot to see a van door slide open. Everything happens too quickly for me to grasp. Two men jump out, grab me, and yank me into the vehicle. The door slams shut, and we’re instantly driving into traffic.
I blink several times, shocked by how quickly that just happened. The van floor is cold beneath my butt. Two mask-wearing men face me, while there’s a driver up ahead. I quickly scoot away from them until my back hits the far wall. Gazing at them, I hold still.
The men take off the masks, and I blink. I don’t recognize one, but the other one is scum-sucking Alexei Sokolov.
“What in the blazes are you doing?” I partially lean forward.
He smiles. “You’re safe. Just take a deep breath.”
“Safe?” I sputter, reaching for the gun at my ankle hidden beneath my jeans.
He almost casually grasps my wrists before securing my weapon. He looks at the small .22 caliber. “This is a tiny gun.”
“I know what it is,” I say. “I need a smaller weapon if I’m going to fit it at my calf. Rosalie is going to kill you for kidnapping me.”
His expression doesn’t change. The guy next to him is big and burly and looks like he could break a car in half if needed.
I lean back against the far wall again and pull my knees up. I’ll be able to kick from this position if necessary, though I have serious doubts about whether I could take both of these guys, not to mention the silent driver up front. “Why are you kidnapping me?”
“I need you to do some work for me,” Alexei says evenly as we careen through traffic. He grabs my bag and rifles through it. “Good. No more weapons.”
No. All I have is my trusty laptop and a couple of discs. Man, I hope he’s on video killing David Fairfax on the disc Rosalie gave to me—if I can fix it. “Don’t mess with my laptop or my games.”
“Games?”
“They’re good for eye-hand coordination,” I say. The discs aren’t labeled. Does he even know what’s on the one from the Fairfax house?
He tosses my backpack to my feet.
I wonder if there are security cameras in the area where they kidnapped me. It had all happened so quickly. Plus, these idiots had worn masks. I guess they’re not idiots now, are they? I think through my morning, and betrayal that turns to fury cuts through me. “You sent the text from Rosalie’s phone.”
Alexei nods. “I did.”
“She’s going to kill you.” Glee fills me.
“Only if she finds out.”
