20
THE HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED
SYDNEY
“Ithought we were friends,” Sydney said.
“We used to be friends,” Robby whispered, still trying to disguise his voice. “Back when we were kids.”
She needed to coax him into taking off that terrifying mask. He looked like a pyscho out of a slasher movie. And she needed to humanize him. Right now, her cousin was hiding behind the mask, allowing his alter-ego to take over.
“What’s your business deal with Bjorn Shariff?” she asked.
“You should be on your knees when you speak to me,” he bit out. “Do you know who I am? The power I wield? The wealth I’ve attained? I’m everything. You’re nothing, but a snoop. I mean, who are you with anyway?”
“You’re right, King A.” She stilled. “Help me get on my knees.”
“Yeah, right, so you can knock me down? I don’t think so.”
She pushed off the chair, dropped to her knees on the hard floor. Then, she lowered her head, said nothing.
“Hmm, so maybe you do know your place,” he said as he strutted back and forth in front of her. “Do you know what TSM stands for?”
She raised her head. “The Sovereign Method.”
“That’s my ingenious cover name. Itreallystands for To Serve Man. I train men to take control of their lives. I teach them how to master their women through power, fear, and domination. The more women, the better. These women are taught to satisfy their every need. They’re trained to learn the fine art of seduction so that they can attract more paying customers.”
Sydney froze. Had she heard him right?
He was instructing men to pimp out women? And their primary jobs were to service men sexually so he could make millions?
Anger churned in her guts, but she had to be patient. Striking at theexactright time was crucial to her success… and to her survival.
I’m gonna take you down, asshole.
She had questions, but she stayed silent. Being subservient was challenging, but she had no problem playing the part. If her cousin had been torturing that woman, and there was a small cemetery nearby, he was telling the truth when he said he’d have no problem killing her… or anyone else who found their way into his torture dungeon.
“Even with my successful business of helping lonely losers, my business deal with Bjorn Shariff will make me wealthy beyond my wildest dreams.”
He knelt beside her, tipped her chin toward him, and removed his mask.
“I’m sorry we didn’t connect sooner,” he hissed. “You would have been nice to farm out. I could have made a lot of money on you. Caroline too. You two turned out good. Very good. Suchbeautiful specimens. Men would love fucking you. You look like a wild thing.” His lips drew back into a terrifying smile. “Am I right or what? You’re a horny one, aren’t you?”
She stared into the eyes of this insane man who’d taken power in the completelywrongdirection. Absolute power without checks is akin to running with the devil.
Sweet, fun Robby had lost touch with reality.
“What’s your deal with Bjorn Shariff?” She braced for another assault.
Instead, he leaned in, kissed her on the mouth. Her stomach heaved, but she refused to vomit. Then, he stood, stared down at her. The hatred in his eyes and his arrogant expression had her fingers tingling. She glanced at her SIG on the floor.
She’d never used a weapon with her wrists tied together.
“When we were kids, I had thebiggestcrush on you,” he said. “I couldn’t wait for summer so we could spend it together.” This smile touched his eyes. “You were nice to me. Always.”
“Were you bullied?” she asked.
“Wasn’t everyone at some point? Girls weren’t interested in me. Women only flocked to King A’s mystery and power. No one ever wanted me for me.” He shrugged. “I’m two weeks from landing myself fifty mil—fifty million dollars! I’m gonna disappear like Houdini, reinvent myself in a new country, and live like the true king that I am.”
