Page 55 of Dauntless

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I rushed over to Liz to help her stand. Despite what Liz had done, I didn’t like to see her or anyone beaten.

She pushed me back and unsteadily climbed to her feet. “I don’t need your help.”

“And I don’t need you here anymore,” Dimitri said to her. “You’re a horrible woman and worse friend. You served your purpose. Now get out of my sight.”

I didn’t understand his response and apparently, neither did Liz. Her smug smile evaporated and as gaped at him.

“Don’t make me ask again,” Dimitri gritted.

Liz lowered her head and walked over to my front door. There, she paused and turned my way but didn’t meet my gaze that was hard on her. “If you had listened to me, none of this would have happened—”

“Don’t,” I hissed, cutting her off. “You’re the one that pitched me The Agency at the start and tried to sell it to me again during the ride to Vincent’s house. You’re nothing but a liar. There is nothing you can ever say that would make me trust you again.”

She walked out and closed the door behind her.

Dimitri shook his head and smirked. “Glad she’s gone. You’re smart, but terrible at picking people in your life, but we’ll have plenty of time to talk about that later. Let’s get you ready to go. You can pack a few comforts with you to use after your initial training. On our ride to your new temporary home, I’ll fill you in on the rules.”

I took in a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. He spoke as if we were old friends going on a journey, and I didn’t know how to respond to him. However, after seeing how viciously he handled Liz, it was clear that his charm and kindness were a part of his game. Besides the fact that he’s taking me against my will. I had to figure out how to play it, and the only way I knew was to try to talk with him. So I cleared my throat and said, “All I want to know is why you’re here now. The case is going forward against The Agency. They don’t need my testimony to prosecute, especially after the video. There is no reason for you to take me.”

He tsked. “How sad. You still think this is all about putting a few men away. The Agency doesn’t care about what happens to Vincent and Marco. They already tainted public opinion on you. You’re right, that’s done… Let’s go upstairs and pack.” He gestured his hand formally for me to lead the way, but I remained where I stood.

“Then you don’t have to do this,” I pleaded. “Whatever or whoever is involved with you coming here for me, I’ll double your payment.”

“I personally never work for women,” he answered, his voice lowering. “Especially one that’s part of a client arrangement. Let me warn you, my generosity and kindness expire when they’re not accepted immediately. You should take me up on my offer to take some of your things. Where we’re going, you won’t find some of the products you like.”

“Who is your client? Where are we going?” I asked taking a step toward the stairs.

His eyes narrowed. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now I told you to go upstairs. Shame on me. I’d thought you were smart, I spoke too soon. It never works well if I must make good on my threats or hurt you in the beginning. That wasn’t part of your arrangement. It hasn’t sunk in enough, let me, as I heard you put it to my client, ‘bottom line’ this for you. If you delay too long, poor Kevin will wake up, and I’ll kill him. You don’t want his blood on your hands, do you?”

I quickly climbed the stairs. I was relieved Kevin was alive and wanted him to remain that way. Still, Dimitri hitting Liz was more of a show for me. I decided I’d follow his orders and pack while thinking up a plan.

I went to the closet and took out my carrier bag, and a thought came to me: Dmitri must have driven. If Kevin is knocked out, I’d only need to keep myself here long enough for him to wake up and call the police. All I needed to do right now was delay Dimitri leaving the house. I started with questions. “You said an arrangement was made for me, can I at least know who your client is?”

“Patrick,” Dimitri said and sat down on the edge of my bed. “He tried to end your contract because he was worried about the police and feds around you, but once a contract is set, I do it. Besides, now that he has Hannah’s father against their marriage, he’ll be happy that he hired me.”

My eyes widened, and I shook my head. “You’re lying. There is no way Patrick would risk his career on me. I know he is trying to take my business, but I don’t think he would be willing to risk his livelihood. He wasn’t a member of your Agency, and Dane told me that Patrick only went to The Agency for help with selling my company’s shares. He ended up buying Patrick’s shares from him and returned them to me. The Agency members took it upon themselves to follow me.”

“That’s a good story,” Dimitri said proudly. “I should know I made it up for Patrick to plant it. At the time I had imagined Dane would need to show his loyalty for the rest of the members to keep on track for his game. I didn’t see any harm in using him for Patrick’s revenge game. But you’ll be a fool if you think Patrick came to The Agency just for your little business. He came there like all the rest of the elite group members did. He wanted a game of revenge against the women that had wronged him, and that’s what he’s getting.”

I covered my face with my hands. I was surprised to hear about the length Patrick was willing to go just to steal from me. He must have been profoundly angry. I wondered if he ever loved me at all. I had been blindsided from the beginning. It was all about my family’s power, wealth, and position. It was never about me. “Was this how all these games are played? Walter—”

“—Walter wanted revenge on his son because he rejected his love,” Dimitri answered. “So, he made the arrangement with me to ruin the love of his son’s life, Angel.”

Dane had been right about Walter being a liar. He purposely set out to harm her.

Bile rose in my throat. “But Walter claimed he was being blackmailed.”

“Oh, Walter was,” Dimitri replied elatedly. “Another group of bankrupted clients wanted revenge against Walter. They hired me to do a revenge game on him. The outcome was to destroy his life and make him pay for his crimes. And now he’s going to jail for being involved in kidnapping Angel. I’ve recently planted enough sloppy evidence that would implicate him. He’ll go to jail this time.”

My stomach lurched. So Dimitri double-crossed Walter? He wasn’t loyal. He’d hurt anyone, which makes him dangerous.

What was I going to do?

I shuddered and looked around my room and over to the door.

He quickly removed his gun from its holster and pointed it at me. “I’m surprised you’re not asking more questions about your game,” he said standing up and moving closer to me. “You can take a few more things before we go.”

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