Page 96 of The Pakhan

There was no reason at this point to keep anything else from her. After what she’d been through, any information or assistance she could provide would be helpful. “Because I don’t think Joshua led you to the apartment. I think the man who betrayed me did.”

CHAPTER 25

Caroline

I wasn’t surprised at what Vadim had just said. In truth, I didn’t know if anything could surprise me any longer. Everything had become far too surreal, even if it felt as if one foot was still in quicksand.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“It’s certainly not your fault. However, if my thinking is correct, Joshua didn’t know what he was getting himself or you in the middle of.”

Exhaling, I shook my head. “But why didn’t the asshole just read it off the text?”

“Think about Joshua. It’s possible he managed to delete the text that had the details about where he’d hidden the drive.”

“Then how did he know Joshua had texted me in the first place?”

“I’m only surmising but it’s possible Joshua only had time to delete the one and without special equipment, which would mean wasting time, Francois wouldn’t be able to find the ghosted email.”

“Only if Joshua emptied his trash bin, which sounds like him.” I looked away. “I tried to warn him, but it was too late.”

“His death isn’t your fault. You must know that.”

“I do, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad for him. I didn’t know him, but no one deserves to die the way he did.” I heard my faraway voice and shivered.

“Of course you can feel bad but you aren’t to blame.” He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

I was grateful for just being able to press my hands against his chest. “That man wanted me dead. He called me a bitch and was so angry with me.”

“Because you’re tenacious as hell, refusing to give up. We still need to talk. You’ll need to show me how you managed to break into my private facility and lock out my cameras.”

“I just used the temporary disable feature. Easy peasy. Any kid could do it.” I felt the heat rising on my cheeks all over again.

“Uh-huh. You have amazing skills that you’ve yet to share with me. I do admire that about you and plan on utilizing your talents. But,” he said as he placed his index finger across the bridge of my nose. “You’re not going to do it on your own. Still, if there is an issue, an ease getting into the system, then someone could break into the panic room and I can’t allow that. It might be the only place where you’ll remain alive. Or my daughters for that matter.”

I pressed my lips against his hand, which seemed to surprise him. When I rose onto my tiptoes, arching in, he had almost an annoyed look. Yes, I was trying to help him forget I’d disobeyed him.

Somehow, I didn’t think it was working.

“You’re hurt,” I said as I stared at the blood on his shirt. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, his once perfectly white shirt marred by brownish bloodstains. He’d rolled up his sleeves past his elbows, exposing his gorgeous tattoos.

“I’m not hurt. The fucker didn’t have a chance against my anger.”

“Big, bad man. Aren’t you?” I was unable to resist, tracing the dagger he had on his arm. He flexed it as I continued and it allowed me a smile.

“Always. Something you should remember.”

“How could I forget?”

“It would seem you also had a memory lapse of the fact that because I own you, you are required to obey me.”

I’d come to terms with how stupid and reckless I’d been. The entire last few months had felt that way. The stupid choices and decision-making had to stop. But in this case, maybe, just maybe we’d get lucky with the drive.

“What is a panic room?” I was ignoring his comment, not that it would go very far. The man never let anything go.

“A completely secure room with uninterruptable communications to the outside world, or at least that’s the way it’s supposed to be. There’s food, water. Medical supplies and weapons. Enough to sustain at least four people inside for an extended period of time.”

His answer sent another shiver down my spine. “Oh.” I tried to look down, but he refused to allow it, sliding the same finger under my chin and lifting it.

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