“Where are you taking me?” I demanded.
“Someplace quiet.” The clipped response sent a chill down my spine. “Stop talking or I will make you stop.”
I shuddered, remembering all too well how violent his methods could be. I clasped my fingers in my lap, twisting them to the point of pain as I bit my lip against the tears that threatened to escape.
The dark landscape shot by and I tried to get my bearings. We were headed out of Los Angeles, that much was obvious. It looked like we were headed toward the mountains. The men in the front seat talked quietly in Russian as Osip sat stiffly at my side, his only movement the drumming of his fingers against his thigh.
My thoughts drifted to Sid. I’d hurt him, that much was obvious. It was my nature to make light of things. Had I done that too much with him? Did he not know how much he meant to me?
I winced at the thought.
My bladder began to protest when we’d been driving for what felt like ages. I hadn’t ever used the bathroom at Cade’s, and after more than one cocktail, I desperately needed to.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I whispered urgently. I’d waited until I was desperate to speak up.
I caught the exit sign for Lancaster as we pulled off the freeway. Though relatively close to Los Angeles, the small city bordered the Mojave Desert. My blood chilled at how easy it would be to get lost out here.
How easy it would be to disappear.
Osip made a scoffing sound. “You wait.”
I shook my head frantically. “I can’t.”
The driver said something in Russian, to which Osip nodded. “We have almost arrived. You will wait.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as the car rambled over a dirt road. I’d never wanted to get somewhere so badly, despite the doom that awaited me. Every bump in the road was like torture before we finally pulled up in front of a small house.
I bolted from the car, wishing like hell I could disappear into the night but knowing my bladder would never allow it.
“Ostanovis!” The Russian command sounded behind me as my hair was yanked back roughly. “It is nothing to me if you piss yourself,” Osip growled cruelly as he yanked me toward the house. “You wait.”
He towed me roughly toward the dilapidated structure, which stood alone against the desert backdrop. He pushed me inside and growled something to the driver, who took my arm and towed me toward what I prayed was the bathroom.
I sighed with relief as he shoved me through another door, keeping it open as I raced to the toilet. His cold eyes watched me as I pulled my pants down and sat on the cold seat.
I looked to the ground, trying to ignore his presence as I finally found relief.
“Turn around.” I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my voice strong. Now that my body had found some relief, I was more aware of my surroundings and I was not about to wipe myself in front of him.
His response was a sinister smile. “No. I watch.”
A shiver snaked down my spine as I got the undeniable feeling that he liked to watch all sorts of things.
I looked away, wiping myself as quickly as possible and pulling my pants up with lightning speed. My cheeks burned with humiliation.
“Come.” He took my arm, yanking me back out to the small living room.
It was then I took in the state of the house, or what used to be a house. A lone lightbulb shone down from the ceiling, casting an eerie glow on the gloomy space. Wallpaper peeled from the walls, the once cheerful flowers wilted by the mildew that now curled the edges. A few folding chairs and a couch that had unrecognizable stains were the only furniture in the room.
The house hadn’t been lived in for a long time, that much was clear. A shudder shook my cold frame as I realized the dark purposes this place could be used for.
The driver unceremoniously shoved me onto the couch, and I wrinkled my nose against the smell permeating from the moist fabric.
It smelled like rot and mildew. Like death.
Just as the last time I’d seen them, Osip and his men were dressed in finely tailored suits. Their distinguished presence was an eerie contrast to the shabby surroundings.
I sat on the couch, watching them warily as they talked in Russian. The men seemed agitated, checking their watches and pacing frequently. I didn’t dare ask what happened next. I kept expecting them to demand where the diamond was, but they didn’t. Instead, it almost seemed like they were waiting. For what, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
