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There was a pop of annoyance on his face. “Why do I do what?”
I kept my eyes on him as best as I could. “Any of it,” I said, not bothering to elaborate. “Your company has one of the longest-sustained contracts with the government, and you have private clients all over the world. You make more money legitimately in a week than most do in their whole lives. Why isn’t that enough? Why do you need more?”
Surprisingly, Hayes took his time to think about it. I watched him pour whiskey into a glass from the bar tucked neatly to the side, not bothering with ice or a garnish. He brought it back and sat down across from me again. “Why would anyone limit their ability to gain power?” he asked. “I have the ability to influence governments. Why wouldn’t I?”
“So, it’s just about the money, then?”
“It does make the world go ’round, Nataliya.”
You disgust me, I thought as he sipped his drink. “Some people might lie,” I said, “to make themselves look more altruistic.”
His eyebrow cocked upward. “Do I seem like an altruistic type of man?” He threw the rest of his drink back. “I’ve never cared for playing games.”
I motioned around us. “So, what’s all this, then? If you don’t like games, why are you doing this with me?”
“This isn’t a game,” he assured me. “It’s a business meeting. You’re an obstacle to my professional future. I looked into you the first time you gave my men the slip. You have an impressive educational background.”
“So?”
“So, I think I can solve several problems all at once. Come work for me, and I won’t have to worry about you any longer. I would make sure that you and your son had a comfortable life.”
“But I’d have to look the other way when you dealt in human trafficking or sold secrets that got people killed.”
He shrugged. It was a delicate movement that made my stomach roll in on itself. “Think of it as the price of admission,” he said.
The way he shrugged everything off, as if it were just another day, was disgusting. “I don’t know what world you live in, but it’s not the real one,” I said. “I could never do what you’re asking.”
Hayes sighed. “I thought that might be your answer,” he said. “You are going to give me back what you stole, or I am going to kill you. Do you understand? There’s nowhere for you to run—no way out of this if you continue to defy me. This house is the only one for miles. It’s up to you whether you walk out of here with a brand-new job or are carried out in a body bag.”
A shiver ran down my spine, but I forced myself to sit up straight and look at him as if his words didn’t absolutely terrify me. “I won’t cooperate, no matter what you say.”
“You’re truly not afraid?” he asked.
“It doesn’t matter if I am or not,” I said. “I’m still not doing it.”
“Should I send Peter after Elias then?” he asked. “Or your FBI pet?”
My hands balled into fists again. “Leave them alone.”
He laughed, flat and emotionless, and that was more terrifying than anything. “You’re one of those sentimental types. I should have started with that.” He picked up his phone. “Peter, come collect Nataliya for me, will you? Then, I have an errand for you to run.”
I was screaming the whole time Peter dragged me back to my cell. Don’t panic, I told myself again. Don’t panic, don’t panic, don’t panic. Adrian was coming. He wouldn’t leave me here like this.
TWENTY-TWO
ADRIAN
“Ineed information on Ian Hayes, and I need it now,” I barked into my phone. “Every piece of property he owns. I don’t care if it’s a house, a condo, a fucking phone booth. Just get me something so I can find him, Shep.”
“On it,” Drake confirmed. “I’ve got this, man. Take a breather.”
I almost laughed. I was so wired that I didn’t think I could rest if I tried. I wasn’t going to be able to shift out of “high alert” mode until we got Nataliya back. I was primed and ready for action—but there wasn’t anything for me to do. Not yet. And the waiting was driving me up the wall.
I wasn’t thrilled about the worried looks Zach kept shooting me, either, like he expected me to snap. He’d refused to stay with Gabe, who was in the hospital under observation for his concussion, because he’d insisted I needed someone to keep an eye on me.
“There’s no use talking to him,” Zach said. “He’s going to be in commando mode until he gets Nat back.”
“Cuddy bad?”
