"An old friend of a friend of a friend… someone you bumped into at a club. He saw you with your little girlfriend and tipped me off," he grins. "Apparently, you were very rude to him. People don't like it when you're rude to them, Bardil."
I clench my jaw, remembering the encounter with that guy Nikita knew.
But what is more concerning is him mentioning mylittlegirlfriend.
He smiles at the look on my face, fully understanding what it means.
"Don't worry, she's safe here with us. We didn't leave her to bleed out in the car," he chuckles.
My stomach churns as nausea hits me.They have her. She's here somewhere. Fuck.
This knowledge seals my urgency to escape. I have zero other options. Saving her is the only thing that matters. Even if it costs me my life.
Sokolov stands, stretching his arms above his head in a lazy cat-like manner. He acts as though he's bored. It's a habit he's always had, and it drove me crazy from the moment I first met him. When will I learn to trust my gut about people?
I knew from the beginning that this man was bad news.
It was your own arrogance that tricked you into thinking you were clever enough to handle him.
The truth is that he loaned me that money knowing I wouldn't be able to pay it back. He did it as a power move. He played me. He thought I'd run to my brother, and my debt would become my family's debt.
It has nothing to do with cash and everything to do with control.
Alex sighs softly, his eyes drifting over me with disinterest.
"Listen, I have a late dinner meeting that I have to attend, but when I get back, you and I and your sweet little bitch are going to play a little game," he says.
"Don't you dare fucking touch her, Sokolov," I growl.
"Oh, I'm going to touch her. I'm going to make her sing. And maybe when I'm done with her, she'll still be in good enough shape to sell. She's rather pretty. I imagine she might even be worth enough to cover your debt." He pauses, cocking his head to the side. "Although I did double it… " he muses. "I might need to consider selling your sister, too."
I watch Sokolov walk away, and all I can think is that I want to rip the skin off his face.
Thank fuck he has a meeting. I need time. I need to calm down and focus.
I need to get the fuck out of these restraints and find Nikita.
Sokolov mutters something to the guard standing in the dark nearby. One man. Armed.
"If he moves, shoot him," he says. "The other guys are busy on the floor. If you need help, shout and they'll come."
"I don't need help, he's one man," the guard huffs.
Sokolov grabs his jaw and digs his fingers into the man's face. "Don't fucking argue with me. Just do as you're told," he snarls.
The guard nods and pulls his face away. He looks belittled and angry. Embarrassed. This is how Sokolov treats everyone who works for him. Like I said. He's a true psychopath, through and through.
"I won't be long, Bardil," Sokolov calls out before leaving.
As soon as he's gone, I'm on high alert, searching everywhere for anything.
The guard is already over this. He looks like he's worked four double shifts and is a walking zombie. Too tired to register anything. Too pissed off and rebellious to do as he's told.
"Hey man, can I get a glass of water?" I ask.
"Fuck off," the man snaps, turning his back to me.
I smirk. That's lucky. One thing in my favor.
