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My throat is so tight that I can barely breathe.
“If you don't answer me,” Charlie says under his breath, his eyes flittering between mine, “I can't sort this.”
I swallow, standing my ground of silence. I won't do this to Maksim. I won't betray him.
Briefly shutting his eyes, Charlie sighs, then he turns to Robert. “She won't answer. Trust me on that.”
“Thing is,” Robert shrugs, “we can't take Blaire's silence as a yes or a no. Everyone is aware of her loyalty to Maksim. Everyone is aware that she won't talk without his permission. And I need to know who took Arjana from me. I need to know who has her so I can get her back.”
So, Robert doesn't know Charlie took her.
I don't know what to do. In any normal situation, I'd end Robert and be done with the bother, but I'm not sure Maksim wants that to happen.
Charlie pulls out his phone and tells me to call Maksim, to ask for permission to speak to Robert. “Make it concise,” he says.
I refrain from taking the phone, clenching my fists. I can't speak to Maksim in front of these two. They could overhear.
“I'll pay you the half a million,” I blurt out to Robert. “I'm not saying I know that girl or that I don't. I'm just agreeing to pay the debt.”
Silence.
Robert is surveying me with curious eyes. I can feel them on my face.
“Why would you pay a debt that doesn't belong to you, girl?” Robert comes out of the house and prowls toward me.
“I won't have this looming over Maksim,” I say, wary that he's still coming at me.
One more step... if he takes one more step, I'll tear him to pieces, and then Charlie for lying his way out of knowing Arjana.
Before I can say or do anything, Charlie meets Robert chest to chest, acting as a barrier between us both. “Not another step.”
Smelling war in the air, I pull out my gun and hold it beside my leg. I then glance around the front garden, rapidly tucking my hair behind my ears so I can scan our situation. Charlie's flock of men dressed in black combat outfits are standing outside their cars. Their attention is focused on us here by the front doors, emotionless eyes studying the state of affairs, hands clasping machine guns.
That makes me feel a little better to know that we have backup if need be.
I focus back on Charlie and Robert.
“I need to speak to Blaire,” Robert says eventually, his eyes narrowed in on Charlie. “I need to look into her eyes and find the truth.”
“She won't say anything more than offering to pay the debt.”
Robert tries to walk up to me but Charlie sidesteps him, and then again.
“Leave her alone or we're gonna have a problem,” Charlie says, his voice oddly calm. “That's not a warning.”
“I can't leave this alone-” Robert presses his hands together, like he's praying or something, “-I want to see the girl's eyes when I ask if she knows Arjana.”
Charlie grabs his gun from the back of his jeans and slips back the top hammer. Robert reaches in his coat.
“I wouldn't-” Charlie says, gesturing out, “-there's over thirty of my men and one of you.”
“That's because you warned me there would be consequences if I had my security detail!” Robert is red with fury. “I only came alone because I know you are a man of your word—you said there would be no trouble!”
My heart is in my throat. I'm not scared, just nervous—I don't know what to do. Yeah, I'm not Charlie's greatest fan, but I won't stand back and watch him get shot, not after he's clearly watching out for me.
Robert is visibly conflicted, a thoughtful expression on his face as he stares at Charlie. He's not sure whether to press Charlie or not. In all honesty, I'm not sure if I ever should, either.
“You need to stop this, Robert,” Charlie says coolly. “Don't start something I'll have to finish. Just take the money and let this be over with.”
