Page 37 of Rafe’s Future

“Oh, you really didn’t know, did you?” Lena sent him a feigned look of sympathy with a click of her tongue. “See, that’s the thing about Kozlova. He likes to play games. Even with those on his payroll. He’s like one of those puppeteers. You know what that is, right? The guy behind the curtain, always pulling everyone’s strings.”

With her free hand, she waggled her fingers between them as if controlling a marionette.

“I’m no one’s puppet.”

Oh, you poor, misguided soul.

She let her hand come to a rest at her thigh. “That’s exactly what you are, but you can put a stop to it right now. But you need to choose carefully.” Very carefully. “Cooperate with us. Admit Kozlova was the one who hired you and let us protect you.”

“Or?”

Lena sat up a bit taller. She filled her lungs with a long inhale before letting her breath escape back out into the dense air.

“Or I can let Alice’s father—who, by the way, is standing on the other side of that mirror—come in here and question you himself. And he’s very, very good at what he does.” She held his stare. “I’m sure you’re familiar with the skills MI6 operatives learn during their extensive training. I can personally attest to their effectiveness when it comes to extracting information.” She sent him a grin. “Even with men like you.”

“Men like me?”

“Guys who think they can handle even the most excruciating pain imaginable. Men who’ve convinced themselves they were tougher than the ones before them. But you tell me.” She searched his gaze. “You ever have anyone who actually held out all the way to the end without at least giving up something you needed?”

He looked away but said nothing. There was no dramatic confession or plea for mercy. But when he finally spoke again, the façade of innocence had vanished.

“I talk; I’m dead.”

Now we’re getting somewhere.

“And what exactly do you think is going to happen if you choose to remain silent?”

His throat worked a swallow as he brought his emotionless eyes back to hers. “Thought you said you weren’t going to kill me.”

“Oh, not me.” Lena turned her head toward the large mirror behind her. “But do you honestly expect a man like Rafe Owens to let you walk out of here free and clear after what you did to his daughter?”

“It’d be better than anything Kozlova would do to me.”

Lena’s heart kicked the inside of her ribs. Did he really just say⁠—

A flash of surprise lit the killer’s gaze.

He didn’t mean to say that aloud.

But he had. Intended or not, this man had just confessed to knowing Alexei Kozlova.

“So you are familiar with our resident terrorist.”

“I never said that.”

“Actually, you pretty much did.” Lena grinned. “So, come on. Give us everything you know about Kozlova, and I’ll guarantee a brand-new, untraceable identity.”

“He’d still find me.” His words were almost a whisper.

“Not if we’re able to find him first.”

He looked away again, his gaze skittering side-to-side with what appeared to be a head full of racing thoughts.

Thinking is good. It means he’s considering my offer.

Consideration was a major step in the right direction.

If this jerk provided them with verifiable intel on Kozlova, the agency would have no choice but to act.