“Isn’t safe. They know where you live, know your routines. They’ve been watching you.”
Terror spikes fresh and sharp. “For how long?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes!”
He looks at me then, really looks, and something in his expression softens fractionally. “I don’t know. Long enough to plan an abduction. Long enough to know you’d be alone tonight.”
“Why?” My voice breaks. “Why would they…? I’m nobody.”
“You’re connected to me. That makes you leverage.”
“We’re not connected. You made that very clear four years ago.”
“Apparently not clear enough.” His jaw tightens. “Someone noticed you in my office. Someone started asking questions. And the Volkovs decided you were valuable.”
“The Volkovs?”
“Rival family. I recently… declined an arrangement they’d proposed. They took it personally.”
Declined an arrangement. The careful phrasing doesn’t hide what he means.
“A marriage arrangement,” I say. “They wanted you to marry someone, and you refused.”
He doesn’t confirm or deny, just turns back to the window.
“So they came after me? That makes no sense. I’m nothing to you.”
“They don’t know that.”
The implication hangs heavy between us. The Volkovs think I matter. Think I’m important enough to Dimitri that taking me would hurt him.
They’re wrong. Have to be wrong.
Don’t they?
The car pulls into an underground garage, descending several levels before stopping. Dimitri exits first, scanning the space with practiced efficiency before gesturing for me to follow.
I do, because what choice do I have? My car is totaled. My apartment isn’t safe. Three men just tried to kidnap me, and the only reason I’m alive is because the man who threatened to kill me days ago decided to save me instead.
Nothing makes sense.
We take an elevator that requires a keycard, rising to floors I stop counting. When the doors open, it’s directly into a penthouse I recognize.
I’ve been here before. Four years ago. The night everything changed.
“No.” I back away, hitting the elevator wall.
“You can, and you will.” Dimitri steps out, holding the door open. “This is the most secure location I have. You’ll stay here until the threat is neutralized.”
“How long?”
“As long as it takes.”
“I have a job. A life. I can’t just disappear.”
“Your job is working for me. Your life nearly ended twenty minutes ago.” His voice gentles slightly. “Janice. You’re safe here. That’s all that matters right now.”
