Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I didn’t respond.
I just gave him a slight roll of the eye.
“It’s true, but that’s not news for you.” His eyes skirted over me. “A woman with your appeal knows the power she possesses. And I must say, it makes me wonder why a lady of such fine caliber would degrade herself by associating with that biker fellow.”
It was strange. He was clearly Russian, just like the men who’d brought me here, but his accent was almost nonexistent. He just dropped a word here and there and had an occasional mix-up on words. It made me wonder if he’d ever actually lived in Russia. Regardless, he was an arrogant asshole. “You don’t know anything about me or my caliber, and you certainly don’t know anything about him!”
“I know his little biker club has made quite a name for themselves.” A smug look crossed his face as he spat, “Good for nothing criminals, if you ask me. Certainly not fit for woman like you.”
“Are you honestly trying to say you’re any better?” I had no idea what I was thinking when I snapped, “You killed my father… and the detective and you kidnapped me! That’s three for three, and I still don’t have any idea why!”
“You have it wrong.” He came back over to the desk and glared at me as he sat down. “I didn’t kill your father.”
“What? But you said…”
“I never said I murdered him, Miss Warren. I said he made promises he did not keep.” He leaned back in his chair. “Your father and I have worked together for many years, and he has made me great deal of money. I considered him a friend. I had no reason, nor desire, to kill him.”
“And the detective?”
“Oh, don’t shed a tear for Detective Joyner. He’s on the payroll. Not mine, but somebody’s. He’s known who killed your father for quite some time, but he has made no move to arrest them. Nor will he.”
“But he seemed…”
“Don’t they all?” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “And as far as you are concerned, yes. I had you kidnapped as a means to an end.”
“What does that even mean?”
“You’re bait,” he answered flatly. “I believe that’s what your people call it.”
“Bait for who?”
“Your brother.”
“What does he have to do with any of this?”
“He has information we need.”
“But he said…”
“He has information we need, Miss Warren, and it would be in his best interest not to pretend otherwise.”
A million questions came rushing through my mind, but before I could ask any of them, there was a tap on the door, and a man walked in. He was wearing a black and clearly expensive suit, and like Sergei, he had dark hair and blue eyes. Only, he wasn’t quite as tall, and he looked to be several years younger.
He never took his eyes off me as he walked over and stood next to Sergei. Once they were side-by-side, it was easy to see that they weren’t just related but brothers. He was still glaring at me when he asked, “This her?”
“It is.” Sergei’s tone was nonchalant as he said, “Miss Warren, I would like you to meet my brother, Viktor.”
“She’s quite beautiful.”
“Yes, she is.”
“Does she know why she’s here?”
“We were just discussing that.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Viktor glanced over at me. “I’d say she already knows too much.”
“Well, that’s for me to decide.” Sergei gave him a firm look. “Did you take care of what I asked you to take care of?”
Viktor gave him a look as he handed him the ledger that I’d tossed out the window. “Don’t I always.”
“And the cars?”
“Taken care of.”
“Good.”
I might’ve been wrong, but I had a feeling they were talking about Detective Joyner and my car. I wondered if they might’ve brought it here, and if so, I could possibly use it for a grand escape. I found that doubtful, especially the way these two seemed to handle things, but it was something to hope for.
Sergei turned his attention to me. “We should get her somewhere more comfortable.”
Viktor nodded, then took a step towards me.
“Keep her close, in case…”
“Understood.”
Viktor stopped when he reached my chair and waited silently until I stood. Without a word, he took hold of my arm and led me out of Sergei’s office. His grasp wasn’t too tight or too loose. It was controlled and steady, just like everything else about him. He opened the office door, and my breath caught when I saw that we weren’t in an office complex or shady hideout. No, this place was something else entirely.
I was only in the hallway, and I could tell that the house was positively exquisite. The ceilings were at least ten feet tall, and every wall was adorned with elaborate paintings of landscapes that looked like they belonged in a museum. There were chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and these weren’t just any old chandeliers. These were the kind that made you gasp just looking at them.