AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I consider his offer for a moment. He’s being strangely nice, but I decide not to question it. There’s no telling when I’ll get an opportunity like this again.
“I want to call my sister,” I mutter. “To check on her. It’s her birthday too.”
He pins me with a hard look. “You’re not going to try and give away our location, are you?”
I shake my head. “This is the longest I’ve been without her. I just want to tell her I’m okay.”
Andrei flicks the lid of his silver lighter closed, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out his phone. “You have one minute.”
Slowly, I reach out and take it from him, watching him with great interest and greater suspicion. Why is he doing this? What’s his angle? Regardless of his reasons, I desperately want to hear my sister’s voice right now, so I quickly dial her number and press his phone to my ear.
He shakes his head in disapproval. “Speaker.”
I do as he asks, setting the call so he can hear. The call rings for an ungodly amount of time. Knowing Charlotte, she might not pick up because she doesn’t recognize the number. It’s not like the Antonovs answer the phone for just anybody. We have no shortage of enemies and police officers sniffing around. There are security measures in place to make sure we don’t accidentally set ourselves up for a trap.
Thankfully, though, Charlotte does answer just before voicemail picks up.
“Hello?” Her voice sounds exactly like mine, except maybe a bit more timid and softer. “Who is this?”
“Cee!” I hold back a sob. “Cee, it’s me.”
“Sandra? Oh my—Mom! Dad! It’s Sandra!”
Somewhere in the background of the call, chaos breaks out. I hear voices, stomping footsteps. I’m pretty sure I hear Mom scream in a mixture of delight and pure anguish.
“Sandy? Baby, are you okay?” she cries. “Please tell me you’re alright!”
“I’m alright, Mom—”
“Where are they keeping you?” Dad asks, his voice booming over the rest of the household.
I quickly glance at Andrei, who shakes his head. I have to be careful here, especially with him watching so close. One wrong move on my part, and he could end the call. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly. It’s the truth. After all this time, I still haven’t figured out my location.
“That cocksucker’s standing right there, isn’t he?” my little brother grumbles.
Andrei shrugs unapologetically. “How charming.”
“I can’t talk long,” I interrupt hastily. “I just really wanted to hear your voices and to tell Charlotte happy birthday.”
Right on cue, Charlotte starts wailing. I can barely understand what she’s saying, but I understand her meaning well enough. Something along the lines ofI miss you so muchandthis is the worst birthday ever.My sister and I have always been in tune with one another, so when she starts crying, I start crying.
“I love you guys,” I tell them, hating the way my voice wobbles. The last thing I want is for Andrei to hear me sounding weak, but in the moment, I don’t care. Screw him and what he thinks; I’m allowed to be vulnerable. “I love you all so much.”
“He hasn’t hurt you, has he?” Charlotte asks.
“No, he hasn’t. I’m perfectly fine, Cee.”
“Is that bastard there?” Mom shrieks. “Tell him that if he puts even a scratch on you, I’mgoing to kill him with my own two hands!”
“Just hold on a little longer,” Dad says resolutely. “Your Uncle Luka is having a hard time pinning him down, but we’ll be there soon.”
Andrei steps forward, bending over slightly so he can direct his voice into the phone’s microphone. “Good luck with that, Mr. Antonov. I assure you that you won’t be able to find me unless Iwantto be found.”
“Listen here, you little shit—”
Andrei takes the phone and promptly ends the call.
“Hey!” I snap. “I wasn’t done talking to them.”
