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CHAPTER 15

LARA

“Time to wake up, Lara.” A deep, unfamiliar voice cuts through the fog of slumber.

When did I fall asleep? There’s a filmy layer in my mouth that has a faint acrid aftertaste of chemicals.

Did they drug me?

Blinking, the room is somewhat dim, but bare.

The thin mattress does nothing to stop the creaking of the metal frame when I sit up.

Kirill sits in front of me, with a big man languishing on a chair behind him.

A tinge of white still cakes the skin around his eyes.

It’s the fucking clown.

“What the hell am I doing here?” I demand. My rise is stopped by a handcuff around my wrist that’s fastened to the end of the bed.

“Your brother was proven to be useless. So you’re next on the list.” Kirill crosses one leg over the other at the knee. “And there isn’t anyone here to save you.” He leans back and pulls a pack of cigarettes from his lapel.

“You know those things will kill you.” I give up on trying to tug at my restraint, so I flop back against the lumpy pillow.

“Your kind thoughts on my wellbeing are noted.” He flicks a brass lighter and holds it up.

“Oh. I’m sorry for the confusion. You misunderstood ‘get fucked and die’.” I throw my free arm over my eyes.

Kirill chuckles and takes a long drag, blowing smoke over me.

“You have your father’s fire, I see.” His foot hits the floor.

Grabbing my hand, he jerks me off of the bed onto the cold concrete and presses his knee into the middle of my shoulder blades.

The hard edge of the cuffs digs into my skin, stretching me painfully as I struggle to breathe.

“We need to set some rules, my dear.” Kirill’s lips rest almost against my ear. “I ask the questions, you answer.” He shifts and holds the burning ember near my eye. “You don’t have to see to talk.”

A frigid chill runs through me, despite the heat from his body over me. “Okay. I get it.” I can’t keep the stammer out of my voice.

It must be enough to convince him, because the weight on me disappears, leaving me splayed out next to the small bed.

“Get up,” he barks, already back in his reclining pose.

Shit. My tethered elbow feels like it popped out of joint and aches when I move it.

With a groan, I roll myself back onto the creaky cot.

My breasts feel squished and my ribs are sore, but mainly it’s just my arm that hurts.

Am I supposed to feel lucky that’s all the damage he’s done yet?

“I just have a single question for you. Once you’ve answered it, you’ll be let go.” His thin lips wrap around the filter as he takes a long inhale.

“Fine. What is it?” I have a feeling I already know what it’s going to be.

Kirill leans forward with his elbow on his knee. Smoke falls from his nostrils like a raging bull. “Where. Is. Zoya?”

My heart stops.

She’s the mother to my sister.

There’s no way I’ll give her up.

“Who?” I bat my lashes with the best look of innocence I can muster.

Kirill’s features fall neutral and he stares at me long enough it begins to make me uncomfortable. “Perhaps you just need some time to think about what is truly important.” Standing abruptly, he slings his chair against the far wall and stomps from the room.

The silent guy in the corner doesn’t move.

“What? Are you the muscle that’s supposed to break my legs? How’d you even convince Alexei to hire you?” I’d throw something at him if I could.

Not my pillow. I might need that.

He stands with a grunt. “Just tell the boss what he wants, and I won’t have to hurt you.”

The door closes, leaving me alone in the bare room.

A bed, and two chairs.

How am I going to get out of here?