The vomiting, the loss of appetite, her face pale as paper—every detail clicked together with brutal clarity.
She was carrying my child. And I'd been pushing her with that arrogant, brutal mob logic, until she fell into the hands of those animals with no bottom line.
Raw terror and regret clawed through my chest like talons.
I drew a deep breath, crushing the emotion down. No time to fall apart. If I lost it, she and the baby died.
"Call in all the Cleaners and strike teams." I shot to my feet, grabbed the Glock off the desk and shoved it into my waistband, slate-gray eyes burning like hellfire. "Lock down that steel mill on the south side. Tonight, I'll rip this whole city apart if I have to. I'm bringing her home."
From that moment, I didn't stop moving. This revenge was just beginning.
Vivienne
When they ripped the hood off, the harsh fluorescent light made me squint.
Once my vision adjusted, I took in my surroundings—
An abandoned warehouse. Rusted shipping containers everywhere. The air stank of mildew and motor oil. I was strapped to a cold metal chair, nylon rope cutting into my wrists and ankles.
Then I saw the face I wanted to tear apart.
Derek.
He wore a tailored navy suit, hair slicked back perfectly, that smile I once thought was "refined" now just turned my stomach.
"Awake?" He pulled up a chair, sat across from me like he was at afternoon tea. "Vivienne. Long time."
I stared at him. Said nothing.
"Don't look at me like that, darling." Derek smiled. "We were going to get married. You haven't forgotten already?"
"Shut up." My voice came out raspy. "What do you want?"
"Simple." Derek leaned back, crossed his legs. "I need you to play along. Once Nikolai's willing to trade the Volkov inheritance for you, this is over."
I stared, then couldn't help laughing.
"Are you insane?" I looked at him, disbelief plain in my eyes. "You think Nikolai would give up his entire family for me?"
"He will." Derek's smile twisted. "Because he loves you. Even I can see that."
He stood, walked over, and bent down to stare into my eyes.
"You know, Vivienne, I've always regretted dumping you. You're way more interesting than Chloe—you've got brains, personality. Not some posing mannequin."
"So you kidnapped me to make Nikolai step down, then you can win me back?" I laughed coldly. "Derek, did a door slam on your head?"
"Of course not." Derek straightened, adjusted his cuffs. "I just think if you chose Nikolai, you should pay for that choice."
"What's your connection to Marchetti?" I asked suddenly.
Derek raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"Business partners." He shrugged. "I provide inside intel, they provide manpower and money. Fair trade."
I stared at him, piecing it together fast.
The old man. Derek. Marchetti. Natasha...
