Page 35 of Kidnapped By the Bratva

Tom folds his hands together and leans forward, bracing himself on his knees. “Do you seriously expect me to believe that you were at a party full of criminals, and mafia bosses, and didn’t overhear any conversations? You didn’t hear anything that could help us in the Orlov case?”

“I wish I did.”

“And what if you did?” Tom’s tone grows sharper as the wrinkles around his eyes and across his forehead deepen. “Would you tell us? For right now I must admit that I don’t believe most of the words that come out of your mouth.”

I stare at him, lips pressed together. I’m not going to confirm or deny anything he’s just said to me. That would only mean trouble in the end, either for me or for Nik.

Or both of us.

Tom leans back in his chair and stretches his legs out in front of him. I turn my chair and imitate his position. He raises an eyebrow and the corners of his mouth twitch in amusement.

“This is fucking dangerous, Hazel.”

“Aren’t you the one who taught me that everything is, but to play it right?” I cross my arms, wincing as the road rash aches.

Tom runs a hand down his face. “I shouldn’t have taught you that then. This isn’t something you can fuck around with, Hazel. This is you giving us the information we need to put away a dangerous mafia boss.”

“How many times am I going to have to repeat myself? The people who did the kidnapping were not Nikita Orlov. I don’t know who they were.”

All I have to do is say it enough times and maybe he’ll start to believe me. It’s not exactly a lie either. I didn’t meet Nik until I was already in a room and waiting to die.

And then he came and let me live.

In the short time I have known him, he has managed to tear down the walls I have built to protect my heart. There’s more than just the physical attraction there. He’s unleashed a desire in me, the desperation to touch, to hold, to possess, and I’ve never felt like this before. And now, it feels like a piece of me is missing.

I don’t want to turn him in. I can’t.

“You do understand the situation you’re in right now, don’t you?” Tom’s voice is pleading as he leans forward. “You need to think about your future here. If you don’t cooperate, this could end badly for you.”

My heart hammers against my ribs and my stomach churns, but I must keep my composure. “I don’t know what more there is to tell you. I’ve already told you everything I know.”

“All right.” Tom stands up and takes long strides across the room. “You don’t know who kidnapped you. But you do know that you somehow ended up with Nikita. Why don’t you tell me what you know about your time with him??”

I blow out a long breath of air, sending a strand of hair flying. “He asked me to go with him to a party. I agreed. Thought I could gather some information. Nobody said anything while I was around.”

At least that much is true.

“I’m getting tired of this. I think you know something that you aren’t willing to share with me. I don’t know what that is, but I’m going to offer you some words of advice.”

My shoulders tense as he stops pacing and whirls to face me. My pulse thuds a little louder.

“Tom, nothing is going on. I promise you.”

“Advice is this. Don’t make problems for yourself. You wouldn’t be the first person to be charmed by Nikita, but I hope you were stronger than that. He is a ruthless man, Hazel. You need to think about what you’re doing.”

I stand up and grab my purse, slinging it over my shoulder. “I need some time to sleep, Tom. I’ve barely slept in the last two days. Please. Let me go home. I’ll get some rest and then I can come back here with a fresh mind.”

Tom steps into my path before I can reach for the door. “The chief is going to want a written statement. He’s on the other side of the glass now. He’s watching everything that’s going down. I’ve been ordered to take your badge and your gun.”

I freeze on the spot, a million different thoughts racing through my head. This is the moment I must decide about what I want.

“Then follow me to my locker.” I sidestep him and head for the door, pulling it open. “I’ll go home and write the statement after I’ve slept. I understand that the chief needs to suspend me until this is settled. I understand the protocol. So, take my gun and badge.”

Tom sighs and follows me as I lead the way through the halls. “I wish that things didn’t have to be this way. I appreciate the cooperation with handing over your gun and your badge, but all this could go away if you just tell us the truth.”

I stop and run my hand through my hair, pushing it back from my face. I allow my eyes to water, my vision blurring at the edges. “I know, Tom. I’ve told you everything I know.”

The harsh lines on his face soften a little. “You’re a good detective, Hazel. This suspension is going to be a good thing. It’s going to give you some time to rest and think.”

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