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“My father was many things, including a shrewd businessman. There was no need to involve himself in such a disgusting enterprise.”
“You believe because your father was so wealthy, he wasn’t driven by wanting more? If that’s what you believe, you know nothing about him. All he thought about was money and how to make more. I was told when my father presented his idea to James, your father leaped at the chance to invest with the others.”
Others?Alex was gaining a lot of information. Unfortunately, he was sure she was only sharing it with him because she planned to kill him.
“You seem to know a lot about my family, yet I don’t even know your name.”
“Rajani.”
Alex had hoped to recognize the name. Tie it somehow to anyone his father had dealt with. He wished he’d chosen to work at Poly-Shyn so he’d be up to date with their counterparts. Then again, if they were anything like Rajani and her family, I’m glad I stayed out. “It’s not a name I’m familiar with.”
“It was my father’s name. It means dark.”
Appropriate. So was bitch.“Who are these others you mentioned?”
“Businessman like your father. Investors.”
“And what exactly did these investors do?” Besides sleep with young women.
“They put Tabiq on the map. Money draws more money. They let their friends know about the special accommodations we were able to provide.”
“By accommodations you mean innocent young women.”
“Oh, you naïve fool. We provide more than that.”
Alex arched a brow. He wasn’t sure what more there could be. “And what is that exactly?”
“None of your concern. I didn’t bring you here to keep you up to date on my business. You’re here so you understand I will not tolerate your interference in any way.”
“And how do you believe you can stop me?”
“My dear Alexander, you really don’t know who you’re dealing with, do you? My father, like yours, is no longer alive. I run everything now and have for several years. Your father came here shortly before he passed. He never believed any of you would come here in search of your mothers, but he had a plan in place should that happen. And here you are,” she said snidely as she looked him over from head to toe. “I can’t decide if you are incredibly stupid or if he was right to be so arrogant in his forward planning.”
Our father didn’t care if we were killed in a quest for truth? Was the man pure evil?It wasn’t a real question. Pure didn’t come close to James’s level of evil.
Alex wasn’t sure who he hated more at this moment: his father or Rajani. It was something he could dispute forever and still not decide. He had more important things on his agenda. “Do you know who my mother is?”
Rajani smiled. “I take it you don’t.”
She hadn’t answered his question. He only believed half of what she told him. As Rajani appeared to be a few years younger than he was, she wouldn’t have been born when his father first came to Tabiq and... taken his mother. Although James didn’t want them to find their mothers, he also hadn’t been one who went to another for help. Not even a so-called partner. I’m not buying it. She’s bluffing. At least that was what his gut was telling him. Either way, his patience had reached its limit. Snapping back, he said, “Don’t fucking trifle with me, Rajani. I’m not my father, but you’d be making a huge mistake if you underestimated me.”
Rajani glared at him before she chuckled. “You hold no power here. Unless you missed the armed guards outside my door as well as those surrounding the entire estate.”
He hadn’t missed a thing. That didn’t mean he was about to bow to her will. She may run her country, but she sure as hell didn’t run him. This Henderson is going to make you wish you never heard our name.
Alex had so many questions but needed to put some time and space between the two of them. The longer he could drag it out, the more likely he’d still be alive when the cavalry showed up. There was one thing left unaddressed.
“Why bring Ziva here?”
“So you would come.”
“She means nothing to me. Let her go.”
Rajani laughed. “There is only one way either of you is leaving this place. If you do not cooperate with my demands, she’ll be the first to exit.” Rajani leaned her arms onto the desk and met Alex’s gaze as she said, “In a box, in pieces, that is.”
Alex knew she meant exactly what she was saying. “What do you want me to do?” He was willing to do just about anything if it meant saving Ziva.
Rajani sat back in her leather chair. “We’ll discuss this tomorrow. For now, you can be with this woman who means nothing to you. Enjoy it, because if you don’t comply with my request tomorrow, it’s all the time you two will ever have.”
The guards came, grabbed Alex by the arms, and dragged him out of the office. It was hard holding back, especially when he wanted to choke the life out of that evil sadistic bitch, but he knew he was joining Ziva. Thinking they may only have tonight wasn’t comforting. Yet, he wasn’t going to share any of what he’d learned with Ziva. He’d fill her with hope that they’d be out of there soon. And hopefully not in a box.
