Page 156 of Reckoning

This place used to have high walls, an country’s worth of security, when Darius was in charge but Hastings is trying hard to give off a different image.

I can see his exasperated face as he stalks out to meet me.

“What the fuck is this?” He hisses.

The cops are keeping the crowds back, keeping as many as they can back, while they keep their guns trained on me.

I grin, getting out of the car.

“Jesus, Koen.” Roman mutters. Of course the fucker was here.

I ignore them both, going to the boot and pop it open.

She hisses, she tries to swing for me only that makes me laugh.

“Let’s go.” I say grabbing her by her fancy, overpriced dress, hauling her out.

“What the…?” Roman gasps, staring at the hysterical creature in my hands.

“You wanted to know who was behind all this shit.” I growl. “Turns out it wasn’t what you thought, Hastings.”

He shakes his head, staring at Valentina Blumenfeld in shock.

“Turns out it was just one greedy, spiteful, woman.” I state.

Hastings draws himself up, clicking his fingers and the guards behind him take her from my hands and drag her inside.

“It wasn’t me.” She cries. “I’m innocent.”

“Innocent of what?” Roman snarls loudly.

“I didn’t do it. I would never try to kill anyone.” She shrieks.

I can’t help but grin at those words. The stupid bitch is literally signing her own death warrant.

“We’ve got it from here.” Hastings mutters.

“What are you going to do with her?” I ask.

“She has to pay.” Roman cuts across. “That bitch has to pay for torturing Sofia…”

“And she will.” Hastings says. “We’ll make sure of that. Just, not while the entirety of Verona is watching this.”

I turn my gaze, glancing at the crowd that’s only getting bigger.

“I have to go.” I state to no one in particular. I need to check on Reid. I need to make sure he really is okay.

But as I walk away, Roman grabs me back. “Where is Sofia? Does she know about this?”

He hasn’t seen her in weeks. I know they talk, that they message, but I’ve not exactly been encouraging the pair of them. Perhaps this will help heal whatever the rift is between them. Perhaps now is the time for me to encourage that.

“Come round later.” I state. “She’ll need cheering up.”

He frowns at that. “Why?”

“She’s always a mess after her therapy sessions.”

“What?” He gasps.