Page 120 of Uprising

“Governor Hastings.” Ambrose says with a smug tone to his voice.

I stiffen but Koen doesn’t react at all.

He’s so different from Darius. He’s red hair is balding. He doesn’t have the charm, the charisma that Darius exudes and yet there’s something about him that tells you he will fuck you up if you cross him.

And that puts me on edge.

He looks at us all and gives a curt nod.

“We’ve just been discussing Rose Blumenfeld...” Ambrose begins.

Hastings eyebrows raise. “And where is she?”

“That’s exactly what we’re asking.” Ambrose says looking pointedly at me.

“And as I said.” I growl. “I’m not telling you.”

“If you refuse to cooperate then we will have no choice but to arrest you.” Ambrose states.

“Enough.” Hastings says. “We have enough to deal with without adding additional drama.”

“But he knows where she is and he’s refusing to disclose it.” Ambrose snaps.

Hastings eyes flash and for a minute I can’t tell what is going on in his head. I know he’s been brought in to take charge. To clear up the entire shitshow that Darius has left. The city has declared a state of emergency after Darius fled and the President is on every news channel trying to instil calm. He personally picked Hastings, personally sent him here to sort the whole situation out.

“There’s an article circulating in the press.” Hastings says. “A journalist claims she was working with Rose, that Rose was passing on information, that she was whistleblowing despite the very real danger to her and her child.”

My eyes widen. I hadn’t heard that. I don’t even know what journalist he’s talking about.

“Is it true?” He asks fixing his gaze on me.

“Rose was being blackmailed.” I confirm. “Darius kidnapped our daughter. He was threatening her life unless Rose did exactly what he wanted.”

“A daughter nobody seems to know anything about.” Ambrose says but Hastings acts like he hasn’t even spoken.

“I see.” Hastings says crossing his arms. “And your sister, what about her?”

“Otto forced her into marriage.” I reply. “He was drugging her, assaulting her…” I trail off because even now the thought sickens me.

“Otto paid for that.” Koen growls with a smirk.

Hastings looks over at him. “I know who you are. And though I don’t condone your actions, right now I have bigger fish to fry.”

“Meaning?” Koen says.

“Meaning, keep your head down and out of my way and I won’t look for you.” Hastings replies.

And that makes me pause.

We all know Koen is technically a wanted man. A murderer too. He’d make a damned good trophy to wave around if Hastings wanted some instant kudos from the new job but to be saying what he has suggests he isn’t that way inclined.

“I won’t give you Rose.” I say. “She is as much a victim as every person Darius cut up and sold.”

“I’m inclined to agree.” Hastings says.

“What?” Ambrose half shouts, his face is the colour of beetroot as he cuts across Hastings.

“At present Rose is not a person of interest but she is a witness.” Hastings states. “When she is ready I want to speak to her myself.”