Page 90 of Dark Desires

“Your wish is my command.”

I prepare her cup, making sure my back is to her. I reach up my jacket sleeve and take out a small vial and dump the contents into her cup.

Done.

With that, I turn around, drinks in hand.

“Your black coffee, Agent Patterson.”

She takes the cup, allowing herself a long sip. “Let’s go. No more pit stops.”

The room is small and bleak, the kind of place designed to make a person feel insignificant and monitored. Omar is sitting at the table, looking more annoyed than intimidated. When he sees me, his eyes narrow.

“What the hell do you want?” he asks.

“To make you a deal,” I say, taking the seat across from him. Patterson sits in the corner, arms crossed, her gaze boring into me. She sips her coffee once, then twice.

Perfect.

I lean forward, my voice low. “Your father has Isabella. And if you don’t help me, he’s going to use her to start a war.”

Omar’s expression falters, but he quickly recovers. “Why should I care? I’m not involved in his business.”

“Maybe not. But you care about Stephania, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do. I’d do anything for her.”

I check my watch. It’s been a minute or so since Agent Patterson had her coffee. I glance over my shoulder at her and watch her blink hard, then yawn.

“Give it another fifteen seconds or so,” I say. “Then we can talk.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

I say nothing, glancing at my watch, then back at Agent Patterson. She sets down her coffee, her eyes slowly shutting.

Her head drops to the table, and she’s out cold.

Omar leans over, looking at her.

“What the hell happened?”

“She’s taking a little rest,” I say. “Agent Patterson is a hard worker, but she works a littletoohard at times.”

He turns his gaze back to me, now looking concerned. “What’s going on? Why aren’t we in a normal interrogation room?”

“Because,” I say, “if you want to help, you’re going to come with me. Now.”

“What?”

“There are no cameras here. The charges you’re being held on are bullshit, but our people can handle them, nonetheless.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you want to help save the cousin of the woman you love, you have to get out of here. Go out into the hallway, head down to the back exit. My sister made sure that it’s unlocked, and that the cameras are off. In the alley, there will be a car waiting for you. It’s going to take you to the airport.”

“The airport?”

“That’s right. You’re going to leave the city. If you want to help, you need to be someplace where your father can’t get to you.”