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“And that’s okay. We’ll get your sister back, and then we’ll go after Li Na.”
“I don’t even care anymore. I just want Hannah safe. Li Na can have Paragon. I’ll just…start over, or not. I could hide here for the rest of my life.”
I pulled her against me. “I would say I like the sound of that, but I can’t. You’re too brilliant to keep from the world.” I kissed the top of her head. “We’ll figure it out.”
She buried her face in my chest, her shoulders shaking.
I held her close. “Shh. Don’t.”
Lauren’s phone buzzed again, and we both jumped. She grabbed for it. I could see over her shoulder it was from a blocked number. “It’s her—I know it,” Lauren said.
Right before she hit the speaker button, she motioned for me to be silent.
“Hello, Lauren,” Li Na said, sounding infinitely pleased with herself.
“Where’s Hannah?”
“Safe. For now.” Li Na paused to let the implied warning sink in. “And she’ll stay that way, as you’re more cooperative than you’ve been in the past.”
Lauren clenched her fists together but held herself in check. “Tell me what you want.”
“The same thing I’ve wanted all along—I want you to sell your existing technology to me. And the rest of your company. I want the patents, the contracts, the equipment—everything. And I want you to consult for me.”
Lauren’s brow furrowed. “Don’t you think the FBI’s coming after you at this point, now that Clive Warren’s dead and you’ve kidnapped my sister? Not to mention shot three security guards? And what about the Chinese authorities?”
Li Na snorted. “I’m not worried about it. I’m helping to reinvigorate Shenzhen—my people won’t touch me.”
The city of Shenzhen, which housed Jiàn Innovations’ headquarters, was considered the Silicon Valley of China. Li Na was practically royalty there.
“As for the FBI,” she continued, “they don’t seem that concerned. Clive Warren was an admitted criminal. They haven’t been in touch about the circumstances of his death. With respect to your sister, I’m sure the authorities are curious. But are they launching a full-scale investigation against me? I doubt it. I’m on Chinese soil, and I covered my tracks. If you have this call traced, it will lead to a cell tower in the Southern District of Russia. I would describe myself as largely unconcerned.”
I wanted to reach through the phone and throttle her, but I kept my cool for Hannah’s sake.
“So you think you’re just going to get away with this?”
“I don’t see why not,” Li Na said casually, as if discussing the weather.
“I need my sister back now,” Lauren said. “Selling Paragon and preparing everything could take months. I can’t let you keep her that long.”
She was right—we needed to get Hannah out as soon as possible. If Li Na kept her in less-than-pristine conditions, she would never last. I didn’t want to consider what else might happen to her sister—things worse than a dirty mattress or unappetizing food.
“I anticipated that response,” Li Na said, “and I would allow you to trade yourself for her, eventually. If you prove you’re taking meaningful steps toward the sale, I’ll allow you to work remotely to finalize the transfer. Someplace secure. I won’t hurt you, Lauren. But you’ll be alone—no security detail. No FBI. No one will save you if you try to cross me again.”
Lauren’s throat worked as she swallowed hard. “I understand.” She didn’t dare look at me.
“And I won’t stop with you,” Li Na said, her voice calm and decisive. “I’ll come back for Hannah. And for your Mr. Betts too. I hear you’re back in his good graces—”
“I’ll do it,” Lauren said. “Just tell me where you want to make the trade.”
Oh to the HELL NO.
“I’ll be in touch.” Li Na hung up.
My fists were clenched in rage. “No.”
Lauren started pacing again, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. “No, what?”
“No, you are not turning yourself over to Li Na. She’s not ever touching you again!”
