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“Obviously, you wouldn’t,” Dante the nominated speaker, says.
I nod. “Obviously. But it’s a game. The longer I take the worse the punishment. It’s just what he does. He even used to pay random guys to approach me in a line and offer to buy me a coffee, just to see what I would do.”
“What the fuck?” Tommy spits out.
I let out a breath, this all seems so normal to me now, it’s hard to imagine being surprised by that.
“So, this could be just a bluff? Maybe he’s just toying with you?” Dante thinks aloud.
There’s a sound of a crack, and all heads fly to Ren, who sits with a broken pen in his hand. His eyes are dark and feral, so we all turn our heads back to Dante and not engage, because it’s clear he’s ready to lose it.
“No. He doesn’t make threats. It’s a promise. Whatever he has planned, he already thinks he’s won. But I will never go back, and he’s had no one to stop him before, so I guess the only thing in his way is Ren.”
“Maybe he’s looking to take you out.” He turns to Ren. “Clear the way?”
Ren just nods.
Dante looks back at me. “Do you remember anything about his movements. People he used to talk to? Any bad business deals you might have overheard?”
“Oh yeah, I mean it was a long time ago, so I’m sure it’s changed. But his routine was like clockwork when I was there. I remember everything. I had to. It was the only way I could find a way out.”
“How did you leave? Did he not have men on you?”
“He did. And I did it very slowly. It took a while to get everything lined up. But when there was an opening, I was able to take it.”
“Do you know any other properties he has, other than the city apartment,” Dave asks.
I nod.
“Make a list,” Dante says.
I nod again.
It’s going better than I expected, and I relax a little into the corner of the couch. It’s quiet as everyone processes what was said or cook up their own plan. I am painfully aware that Ren hasn’t spoken, and I take a chance to check in on him.
His eyes are fixed on the table, and an unreadable expression mars his face. He must sense me looking because his eyes lift, and they’re like fiery pits of hell. He looks straight at me, but he doesn’t speak for a long time.
Then…
“Where do you think he will take you if he gets his hands on you?” He sounds detached, cold, removed from this room, and from us.
My heart slams into the back of my throat at the thought. Is this now planning my rescue mission? Fuck. That sends a shiver down my spine, but it’s smart. And, well scary as hell.
“I don’t know.” I say, quietly. “Depends, I guess. If he’s not worried about anyone coming for me, then back to his place. He did by a place in Adelaide about six months ago, so maybe there?”
“How do you know that? You were already gone,” Ren says.
It’s surreal being in this moment, talking so openly about something I kept hidden for so long. I never dreamed I’d have someone on my side, someone I could trust with this, who I could talk to. But now, I do.
“I hired this crew that helps with staying off grid. I gave them access to my old bank account, and cards. They set up in Adelaide and made a transaction. Then they sat and watched to see if anyone came. Sergei took seven hours to get to Adelaide after it was used. The next day he bought an apartment in the city. Maybe he might take me there?”
It’s silent again, and when I look around the room, all the boys’ eyes are lowered, and they all look troubled.
And then I say the real kicker. “He could take me back to Russia.”
All heads fly up, and their eyes land back on me.
“He was talking about spending our honeymoon there with his family,” I croak out, sensing the mood darken dramatically.
