Page 26 of Ashes

Chapter 11

VICTOR’S MEN TIED MYarm to the headboard of the bed, and no matter how much I try, I can’t get free.

I growl as I yank at my restraints once again. Waiting for someone to get here to free me so I could go to the bathroom seems like an eternity.

I’ll have to find a way to stay free once that happens, but I don’t know how I’m going to fight the four men who come for me.

I doubt Victor will tell them to ease up on the security.

My wrists and my arm hurt, and I embrace the pain.

It reminds me that I failed, but that I can’t give up now either.

When the door opens, Victor strolls in.

His face is expressionless, but something shifts in his eyes when his gaze lands on me. His eyes linger on the white bandages on my wrists.

“I’m going to find out what really happened,” he says, taking a seat on the edge of the bed next to me. “And if you behave, maybe I’ll tell you about it.”

I glare at him. “What are you going to do?”

“Become a member of that club Rodrigo and Alex frequented. I’ll find a way to get a meeting with the owner, Gianni. I’m going to check our fathers’ stories, including yours, from the very beginning to their end and see which version is the real one.”

“You need a woman to accompany you. I know the rules. Alex told me,” I say. “Are you sure there’s a woman out there you can trust with this? Someone who’s not going to run to your father?”

“That’s none of your business. I’ll hire someone. Money is a powerful motivator.”

“And she can betray you as soon as someone pays her more. Is that what you want?”

“Do I have a choice?” There’s something in his eyes.

Something conniving.

He’s up to something.

I can tell.

But I don’t know what it is.

“Take me with you,” I say, sure that I’m going to regret my decision, but I want out of this room and this house, and I want to know what happened to my brother.

“You?” He lets out a laugh. “That would be a disaster. Do you even know what happens in that club? Do you know that women there are no more than slaves? If you had one of your temper tantrums there, we’d be kicked out forever. I’m not stupid enough to take that risk.”

I press my lips into a tight line.

Yes, I know that club sucks.

I don’t know why Alex even liked to go there.

But I’d like to find out.

No matter what it takes.

I was willing to die to get out of here. How is going to that club any more dangerous?

It’s not.