Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Kent’s gaze pierces mine. “Are you going to ask her?”
“Not yet.” I reflect on that for a moment. “The timing isn’t right.”
“Why not?” He narrows his eyes. “Are you going soft on her because of Noah?”
I’m on him so fast not even Kent, who’s a wrestling champion, sees me coming. I have him thrown against the door and pinned in place by the lapels of his denim jacket before he has time to blink.
“Question me again, and the only way you’re leaving this suite is over the balcony rail.”
“I apologize.” He raises his palms. “It won’t happen again.”
I give him a shake. “Tatiana is the mother of my child. You’ll give her the respect she deserves. Am I clear?”
“Yes.” His nostrils flare. “Crystal.”
“You’re a loyal man.” I shove him away and yank the door open. “I’d hate to lose you, so don’t give me a reason.”
He straightens his jacket, walks to the elevator, and pushes the button for the ground floor.
I go after him.
He only looks at me again when the door has opened and he’s gotten inside and turned around to face in front of him.
I catch the door, keeping it open. “My priorities haven’t changed. I’ll get what I want. The only thing that’s changed is the how.”
Not waiting for a reply, I let the door close. I need neither his understanding nor his consent.
Once alone, I consider my strategy. Tatiana no longer trusts me. She’s not going to give me the information willingly, and I’m not going to torture the mother of my child.
Fuck that.
Using unsavory methods was never an option, despite what Kent may have thought. No, it’ll take time. I was never going to get what I want in a day.
And I don’t only mean the necklace.
Chapter
Five
Tatiana
* * *
On the way to work, I mull over the horrendous and tragic history Dante shared with me.
When my parents died, half of the estate went to Leander. The other half would’ve gone to me. That’s the agreement my father had made with my betrothed, Joni Stein. My endowment was part of the business deal my father negotiated. He put a price tag on me and sold me to the highest bidder, a man who could further my father’s agenda. And I was stupid enough to believe Dante would save me.
Leander squandered and mismanaged his inheritance. Why doesn’t that come as a surprise? Dante only had to be patient. Before long, Leander had to put the condo up for auction. I followed the news. My brother sold most of his company shares to cover his debt. He knew better than anyone what would’ve happened to him if he didn’t repay the bratva the money they’d loaned him.
My father appointed my brother as trustee of my shares in Teszner Agglomerate, which were supposed to transfer into my name on my twenty-first birthday. Those shares will go to Leander if I’m declared dead. That’s why he’s fought so hard to get my death certificate issued. He couldn’t even wait the full seven years that’s customary in the case of a missing person. Leander would rather see me dead than lose those shares.
Bringing me out of hiding could ruin everything for my brother, but such a move doesn’t come without risks for Dante. Of course, he’s not worried that I’ll tell the police who killed my parents. First of all, I don’t have proof. Secondly, Dante owns half the force and judges in the country.
He knows very well he doesn’t have to worry about Leander coming clean either. After the murder my brother committed, that’s not a hornet’s nest he wants to stir up.
The news report stated the rocket that hit the car in which my father and his convoy was traveling was from Eastern Europe origin, an RPG and not a Bazooka. The responsibility for the attack was pinned on the Russians. After all, with the huge amount of money Leander owed them, they had a clear motive. The logical conclusion was that they sent a message—a strong one, no less.
No arrests have been made due to a lack of evidence. The case has been closed and the dust swept under the carpet. No one wants anyone to rock the boat.
The conclusion? A lot of people would like to see me dead—my brother, the bratva who won’t mind getting their hands on me to even the score with Leander, and even the crooked cops who’d do anything to protect themselves.
No matter from which angle I look at it, I’m screwed. Ironically, if Dante insists on taking me back to New York, the safest place for me would be with him. How’s that for a Catch-22 situation?
I ponder my options all the way to my client’s home, racking my brain for a way out, only to admit there’s none when we arrive at the house.