“Believe whatever you want.”
“Let me go!” I cry, my hands closing into fists. I don’t know why I’m saying this—of course he won’t release me. He needs me for something, that much is clear.
“We can’t do that, unfortunately. First of all—” he raises his elbow onto the armrest, waving the USB stick, “we need to sort out a little problem that you have created.”
We?
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t act dumb, Lauren. You were always a smart girl. You know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m referring to the bank records, the offshore accounts. You have been stealing money from Ronan Aslanov, you and Nikolai. Did you think this would escape my notice?”
This time I’m genuinely taken aback.
“What are you talking about?” I run through all of the possibilities in my head, but I don’t recall this. He’s lying to me. “I never—”
“Lauren.” He bows his head to look deeper into my eyes, warning me. “You have lied to me once. Do you expect me to believe you when you deny having done something again?”
“But you’re lying.” Tears prick my eyes but I don’t have the self-restraint to keep them from falling anymore. They begin wetting my cheeks. I want to wipe them away but my arms are tied, so they reach my lips, the salty taste reminding me how dehydrated I am. The last time I had a sip of water was this morning before leaving Nikolai’s for work.
My heart skips a beat.
Nikolai.
Where is he?
Didhesteal money from the offshore accounts?
He would have told me, wouldn’t he?
No, he wouldn’t have touched it. I have been to his estate, overstayed my welcome in his penthouse. Nikolai has way more money than he needs. Why would he try to skim anyone’s accounts?
Father continues. “Ronan’s men have been briefed. They know what they need to know—that you were helping move money. That you are the reason his shell company has been losing funds.”
“But I don’t need money.” My voice comes out desperate this time.
There’s no life in my father’s eyes. He looks at me like I’m merely a prisoner, with no previous connections to him. “We have also know that one of Rogov’s men has been spying on us. You two thought you’d get away with that, too, didn’t you?” He raises another eyebrow in question, but there’s also satisfaction in his eyes. “He’s been… handled.”
The grilled cheese sandwich from earlier threatens to spill out of my mouth. I keep it down, focusing on the cold room temperature to keep myself together. A cold sweat trickles down my back.
Handled?
Does he mean ‘killed’?
That’s the thing about my father. Everything must be replaced with corporate jargon.
“Just so you know, there’s no way your boyfriend will find you. That is, if Ronan hasn’t killed him yet.” A faint smile creeps onto his face but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Nothing ever reaches his eyes. Ever since Mom died, he has turned over a new leaf. Sure, he’s always had a darkness to him, but one taste of sin has sucked him in completely. In exchange for power, everything is worth it. His own wife and daughter— everything is a bargain if it means he can get what he wants.
Watching him makes me feel sick to my stomach, but for some reason, I can’t look away.
Nikolai is in danger.
The thought stimulates a new wave of sickness in my stomach. I feel faint.
Looking down to where I’m tied, I assess the zip ties—to see if there’s a loophole for how I can get out. There has to be a flaw. There’s a flaw in everything. I dip my head, searching underneath the armrest for something,anythingthat will set me free.
But even if I could miraculously get out, how would I know where Nikolai is?
My reaction prompts a small change on my father’s face. “Forget about it. These Bratva guys know how to tie up a person.”
