Page 34 of All The Pretty Little Lies

"She's exactly as advertised," I manage, keeping my voice level. "I'm pleased."

Natasha nods, a satisfied smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "Excellent. Now, Mr. Blackwood, would you like her gift-wrapped for the journey home?"

I blink, caught off guard by the question. "Gift-wrapped?" I repeat, unsure of what she means.

"Yes, it's a service we offer for long-distance transport," Natasha declares. “I find that it makes traveling together a bit easier.”

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of what "gift-wrapped" could possibly mean in this context. But I can't risk showing any hesitation or confusion. I need to maintain my facade as a seasoned buyer in this twisted world.

"Yes, of course," I reply smoothly, forcing a smile. "Gift-wrapped would be perfect."

Natasha's eyes gleam with a cold satisfaction that sends a chill down my spine. She snaps her fingers, and one of the guards hands her a small case. My heart races as she opens it, revealing a syringe filled with a clear liquid.

"What's that?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Just a little something to make the journey more comfortable," Natasha explains, approaching Vesper with practiced ease. "It's perfectly safe, I assure you. She'll be out for about six hours - plenty of time for you to get her settled and on your way home. We can provide you with an extra dose if your journey is a bit longer. "

Before I can protest, Natasha swiftly injects the contents of the syringe into Vesper's neck. I watch in horror as Vesper's body goes limp almost instantly, her head lolling to the side.

"There we are," Natasha says, stepping back. "All wrapped up and ready to go."

I clench my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to lash out. The casual way they're treating Vesper, as if she's nothing more than a package to be shipped, makes my blood boil. But I force myself to remain calm, to play the part of the satisfied customer.

"Excellent," I manage, my voice tight. "Is there anything else?"

Natasha tilts her head, considering. "We do recommend having a tracker placed before leaving. Just as a precaution, you understand. Some of our clients find it helpful."

I shake my head firmly. "That won't be necessary. My team will handle any tracking once we're in the car."

Natasha raises an eyebrow but doesn't push the issue. "As you wish, Mr. Blackwood. Now, shall we get your purchase ready for transport?"

I watch, my stomach churning, as two guards lift Vesper's unconscious form from the chair. They handle her with anunsettling efficiency, securing her wrists and ankles with padded restraints before wrapping her in a thick, dark blanket.

"Standard procedure," Natasha explains, noticing my gaze. "It ensures a smooth transition from our care to yours."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Seeing Vesper like this would have kill Oscar. I know how badly he wanted to be the one to do this, but it’s better this way. I barely know her and seeing her bound and drugged is nearly too much for me to bear. Oz wouldn’t have lasted two seconds without blowing our cover.

"Your driver is waiting at the rear entrance," Natasha informs me, leading the way as the guards carry Vesper. "I trust you'll find everything to your satisfaction."

As soon as the cold night air hits my lungs, I see Alex standing by the SUV we’d arrived in with the back driver’s side door open. The guard places Vesper’s limp body inside before stepping back and allowing Alex to close the door behind her. He shifts to the other side of the car, waiting for me to join her.

"Thank you again for your purchase, Mr. Blackwood," Natasha purrs, her cold smile never quite reaching her eyes. "If you find yourself unsatisfied in any way, please don't hesitate to let me know. I assure you, resale will be no issue at all."

The casual way she talks about reselling Vesper as if she were nothing more than a defective appliance, makes bile rise in my throat. I swallow hard, forcing a smile that feels more like a grimace. "I'm sure that won't be necessary, but I appreciate the offer."

With a final nod to Natasha, I round the back of the SUV and climb into the back passenger side, my heart pounding so loudly I'm sure everyone can hear it. The leather seat creaks beneath me as I settle in next to Vesper's still form. She looks so vulnerable wrapped in that dark blanket, her face partially obscured by her blonde hair. I resist the urge to reach out andbrush it away, to check if she's breathing. I can't show any concern, not yet. Not until we're safely away.

I wait for Alex to slide into the driver’s seat.

“Get us the fuck out of here,” I quietly order him. He pulls away from the curb nonchalantly and waits until we’re a few miles down the road to speed up.

Vesper stirs slightly beside me, a small moan escaping her lips. Without thinking, I reach out to steady her, my hand hovering just above her shoulder.

"How long until we reach the safe house?" I ask Alex, my voice tight with tension.

"Twenty minutes, maybe thirty if we need to take a more circuitous route," he replies, his eyes never leaving the road.

"Where’s Oz and Zaire?"

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