Her aunt. Of course. And now it made perfect sense that her aunt would head up Cobra. Rhea had probably used the money from that account to fund and consolidate her own power.
An unnatural calm settled over Sejal. Time to close this chapter of her life, once and for all. “When my dad came to you all those years ago, he showed you the proof he had of your embezzling.”
Alexei snorted. “I don’t give a fuck about that. My former associates know, now, that I’m the one who took the money. The account’s been used, and I’m the only one still on the outside. But that won’t matter if I at least have the password and can get out of here—”
“That’s not all my dad had on you, though.” She pulled out her phone. It took her a second to cast the screen to the television behind her.
Viktor straightened when a photo popped up on the giant screen. “What is this?” he asked sharply.
Sejal glanced behind her as the photo melted into another one. “I believe it’s a cinematic slideshow of your Alexei breaking bread with various members of rival families.”
“It’s nothing, Viktor.” Alexei waved his hand. “I was gathering some information.”
“Do your father and brother know about this?” Sejal asked sweetly. “I’m sure they’d love to know what information you gathered.”
A knock came at the door, breaking the tense silence in the room. “Room service.”
Sejal glanced at Krish, but he shook his head. He hadn’t told any of the guards to interrupt.
Were they not standing outside the door? The last thing she wanted was for some bellboy to get shot. “We didn’t order anything,” Krish called out.
“Your father will kill you for this, Alexei,” Viktor breathed.
“My father won’t know.” Alexei came to his feet. “Because this bitch is going to give me my money, and I will finally be able to get the fuck away from everyone.”
“Like I said, I don’t have it. And you’re going to turn around and walk out of here, because if you don’t, I’m going to plaster these photos all over the internet for your daddy and brothers to find.” Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Krish take a ready stance, his gun trained on Alexei.
Viktor stirred. “Alexei, your father—”
“You don’t work for my father,” Alexei shouted, spittle flying out of his mouth. He glared at Sejal and took a step forward.
Another knock came on the door, with more urgency. “Room service?”
Sejal didn’t have time to answer, because Alexei was taking another step toward her. Then there was a tiny crack, and he stopped in his tracks. He grabbed his side, where his shirt was rapidly turning red. He dropped to his knees, then to the floor. “Actually,” Viktor said conversationally, “I do work for your father.”
Viktor held up his hands, small pistol dangling from his grip when Krish trained his gun on him. “I know you’re not Cobra, Sejal, because you didn’t search me well enough.”
“You just sh-sh-shot him,” Sejal said. Sure, she hated Alexei, but she’d never actually witnessed someone getting shot in front of her. She put her fingers to her lips. This was why she hated guns, damn it!Don’t throw up, don’t throw up.
Alexei groaned. So he was alive. Okay. Good?
Sejal’s attention was diverted when the lock on the door clicked open. A woman came in, gun in one hand, pepper spray in the other. “Put that down right now, Viktor,” the woman said, and kicked the door closed behind her.
Her eyes met Sejal’s shocked ones, and she smiled. Her lips were painted a barely there maroon.
On the outside, Sejal was cool and calm, or at least she hoped she was. On the inside, she was shaking like a leaf. This was company she wasn’t exactly expecting.
The woman had always had great timing. And great entrances.
Underneath the shock bloomed an odd warmth, though she quickly throttled it. No, she couldn’t get used to that feeling. The feeling of not being alone. Because if the past was any precedent, it would quickly get yanked away. “Auntie Rhea?”
“Hello, dear. I came to rescue you. But it looks like you managed to do that on your own.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Krish considered himself fairly good at multitasking, but there was a lot going on.
His brother had traded Sejal’s safety to Alexei for money. Alexei was bleeding and writhing on the floor. The woman he’d been itching to find since he’d discovered that his brother was missing was standing right in front of him.
