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“Because I didn’t think it mattered for one thing. The other is that I’m not close to them. At all.”
“I’m not certain I believe you.”
“Fine. Don’t. I learned that Rian, my second cousin who owns Killian’s, was required to keep tabs on me. Second, he confronted me about you, as if the man had any right to tell me who I could spend time with, and third…”
She bit her lip instead of finishing, a pained look crossing her face. I moved even closer until I was positioned in front of her. Her words rang true, which was rare in my world. I lifted her chin, lowering my head to ensure I could study her eyes.
They never lied.
“And third?”
The fact she appeared even more uncomfortable sent up red flags. “And third, I think Rian is the reason those horrible men grabbed me out of the parking lot tonight. That asshole Rory and his buddies were in the bar when you came in. You should have heard them. They went on and on about you. Nothing of importance, but they acted like you were enemy number one.”
She was right again. The three had been sent to gather information. There were more of them. Who the hell had they been working for?
Immediately, my hackles were raised. Whether or not she knew more remained to be seen, but she would tell me everything. In truth, whoever Rory was and the entity responsible for giving him orders to abduct Candy, I suspected the order hadn’t come from anyone in the Walsh family. Call it instinct, but given Rian’s genuine anger and concern, even confronting a man he’d been taught could snap his neck with one hand, I seriously doubted he’d condone what had been done to his own cousin.
“Why do you believe your cousin had anything to do with it? And I want to know the full truth, Candy.”
“I don’t know who they were, other than overhearing the asshole’s name and the trash talk they were throwing out like every other bully I’ve encountered in my life. That’s the damn truth, Kirill. They came into the bar that night then tried to kidnap me the next.” She looked away, her brow furrowing.
“What is it?”
“The girl who works with me said they’re trouble. They really are your enemies, aren’t they? The ones you mentioned to me last night.”
I shouldn’t have said a damn thing to her. “As I already told you, I have many enemies, so does every member of the Bratva.”
“Who wanted me taken, Michael Walsh?”
“Why would you think that?”
Her mouth twisted as she tried to think of an answer. “Just because he’s powerful. At least that’s what Rian told me.”
I doubted she was lying at this moment, but in not telling me her full identity, she’d placed herself in harm’s way. “Michael Walsh believes himself to be the god of unions. He’s causing significant issues with a construction project. Do I think it’s possible he ordered your abduction? I would ordinarily say anything is possible, but the Walsh family prides themselves in being close-knit.” Was I just telling her what she wanted to hear? “I can’t imagine he’d go that far.”
“Why would that matter to you? It’s not like there’s a union for assassins or crime lords.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, fearful of my reaction.
At that moment, she seemed even more innocent than before, almost gullible but I knew better. I laughed softly, unprepared for handling her like I thought I would be. She needed to understand that this was no game and that her life remained in danger, but the last thing I wanted to do was to break her spirit. Unfortunately, I also needed her controlled. That would mean being more forceful with her. If she believed me to be a monster, perhaps it was time to reinforce it. That might be the only way to keep her alive.
“The Kozlov family is in the business of construction, as well as other profitable organizations that are entirely above board. I think that’s all you need to know.”
She stared at me with wide eyes, a hint of amusement in them. “Interesting. So you’re the enforcer who kills anyone who fucks with your legitimate businesses. Does that mean my family has stood in your way? Are you planning on killing all of them?” Her smirk was pushing my level of irritation. While her quirks were adorable and her smile able to light a part of the darkness dwelling within me, I was exactly as she believed me to be. To think otherwise would be a weakness others would be able to smell a mile away.
“It’s not your place to question how and what I do, Candy. The fact you lied to me doesn’t sit well with me. In fact, it earned you a stern punishment.” If Rian was behind her mistreatment, it would be impossible to keep from hunting him down like the dog he truly was. I bristled, trying to keep my anger in check, but I was losing the ability quickly. It had just become even more important to keep her safe until I found out exactly what I was dealing with.
But she needed to believe that I was the villain, then so be it. I couldn’t waste time in pretending or sugarcoating my existence.
Her eyes opened wide, but there was no fear in them, only her continued defiance. “You don’t own me or get to tell me what I can do or am required to tell you. I’m not in some cage.”
“Look around you, Candy. While this condo is secure and comfortable, and you’ll be provided with everything you need to survive, this is a cage. Your cage. You will be required to follow my rules at all times. Any infraction will result in harsh punishment. There is no alternative. None.”
“That’s not fair. I have a life.”
“As of now, this is your life. I am your life.”
She glared at me for a few seconds then looked away, the quiver in her lower lip returning. “What rules?”
“You will stay in this condo at all times. To ensure that happens, there will be two guards waiting at the bottom of that elevator if you try and escape. If you do, I assure you that the punishment you receive will remain with you for a long time. There are no phones here, no other method of communication. I keep my computers locked away. Even if you were able to access them, the system installed is highly sensitive and secure. There are two people under my employ who keep this place cleaned, food and necessities purchased. One or the other will be here. Do not try and take their private cellphones or attack them in any way. I assure you that both are highly trained and will do whatever is necessary to help you follow my rules. As you might imagine, I have business outside of this house. There are books to keep you entertained, music available to you, but there are no televisions.” I waited until she blinked in recognition. I could sense her growing hatred, which a part of me loathed but this was necessary. The fear of me would keep her alive.
