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“Good,” I grumble. “So, what’s the plan?”
“I need a bit more time to prepare an extraction,” Dad says. “Do you think you’re in immediate danger if I let them stew?”
I lean back in my seat, glaring up at the Boss. “No. I’m the only leverage he has. Ninety percent sure he won’t follow through. I can hold out a little while longer.”
Dad chuckles. “That’s my girl. I’ll come get you as soon as possible. Reinforcements are on the way. Your aunts and uncles are all here to help. This will be over soon.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too, Sandra. Be brave.”
“Always.”
Sensing the call must have ended, the Boss takes his phone back and immediately snaps it in two. The bits and pieces crumble in his large palms, a few plastic shards falling to the floor.
“Thank you,” he says in perfect English, catching me off-guard for the second time today. “Now that I know the Antonovs are going to be distracted with your rescue, I can finally move on to Phase Two of my plan.”
My eyes widen in shock. “You understood—”
“Everything,” he confirms. “You know what your problem is, princess? You’re too proud. I see it in your eyes. You think you’re the smartest person in the room, but I assure you you’ve officially met your match.”
“Phase Two…” I echo. “What do you mean by that? What are you going to do?”
“It’s on a need-to-know basis,” he answers casually. “Andyoudon’t need to know.”
For the first time since I arrived, a genuine wave of worry crashes into me. This was his game from the start. HewantedDad to be preoccupied with my rescue so he could make his real move. What it is exactly, I can’t be sure, but I’m confident it’ll spell trouble for my family.
“W-wait!” I stutter as he begins to walk away. My mask of cocky indifference is starting to slip. “Where are you going?”
The Boss doesn’t bother answering me, turning his back so I can’t look him in the eye. “Make sure she’s fed on schedule. We don’t want our guest to go hungry.”
“Let me go!” I snap. “Let me go right now or I’ll—”
“What?” he challenges. “What are you going to do, princess?”
“Stop calling me that.”
The son of a bitch has the audacity to grin at me. “But I like seeing you all riled up.”
“I will escape,” I vow. “Sooner or later, I’m going to get out of here. When I do, I’m going to strangle you to death.”
“Promises, promises,” he says and promptly walks away.
His lackeys follow him, slamming the door shut once they exit. I’m suddenly alone, nothing but the soft hum of electricity from the pendulum light above my head to keep me company. I struggle with my restraints, the hard plastic biting into the skin of my wrists. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get my heartrate to settle. I’m officially out of control—and I hate it with every fiber of my being.
I have to warn Dad somehow. Or better yet, I need to get the fuck out of here. But the more I struggle, the more helpless I start to feel. Panic claws through me, cutting through skin, muscle, and bone. Anxiety sits in my chest, festering like an untreated wound.
The Boss thinks he’s met his match, does he?
I can’t wait to prove him wrong.
Chapter 4
Andrei
“We move in tonight,” I inform my younger brothers. I drag the tip of my finger over the map splayed out over my desk, drawing everyone’s attention to one area in particular. “Take our men and start here in the Southern Administrative Okrug.”
“We’re not starting in the Financial District?” Damien asks. He sits just off to the side in one of my office’s guest chairs. My brothers have gathered around my desk, so there isn’t enough room for him to squeeze in.
