Page 96 of Savage Beauty

“That was a temporary location. Didn’t they mention that you’d be moved?”

He says this like that makes everything okay. “That place was disgusting.”

“I wouldn’t have let them keep you there indefinitely. It was… I had to sell the idea, and that worked.”

“How did Sage fit into your idea?” Another step back.

“She’s your only living relative. I thought she was the only one who would come looking for you. And I knew you loved her. If everything had gone according to plan, you would both have a good life together and you could continue doing your research.”

“A good life?”

“Alive.”

He’s pointing a gun at me. The irony might go over his head, but I am aware.

“How do you know Anton Solonov?”

“Who?” He appears genuinely perplexed.

“The man you hired to drug me and put me on a boat.”

“I never knew his name. I was given a number to call. I arranged it by phone and paid through… I just… If I did what they said, you wouldn’t be alive. I offered up half of my payout as a bonus if they kept you alive.” His words trail and the butt of the gun dips. “Sloane. You have to trust me. I am not a murderer. I didn’t want you hurt.”

“And you’ve worked for these people for how long? Since you moved?”

“Sloane. You work for them, too.”

“No. I don’t. I would never.” He’s wrong. My chest is too tight.

“Your work isn’t close to coming to market. You haven’t yet endured the rigors of clinical testing. Lumina is one of the leaders in clinical testing. We help pharmaceutical companies around the world bring products to market. And there are rewards if we can beat everyone else.”

“Am I the only one who didn’t know what was going on?” Yes, I kept myself away from others, but it can’t be everyone.

“Few know.”

“Dr. Kallio?”

“She was recruited because one of the drugs she’s overseeing will be going through the expedited process.”

“These pharmaceutical companies, do they know what’s going on? How Lumina is getting the products to market faster than others?” I take a step back.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He takes a step forward. “Even if you get away from me, they’ll send someone else. At this point, they know you’ve involved outside groups. They’re not going to let this drop. You’ve already been discredited. They’ll find you and make your death look like a suicide. Your best bet is to come with me. Let me hide you.”

They’ll send Solonov. Or someone else. That’s what he means. “What if I agree to work for these people? I understand why you’re sidestepping regulatory testing. I get it. And you’re right. It’s the fastest way to bring products to market.”

“It’s the best way forward.” He reaches for me, and I step back.

I do not want him to touch me.

I step back. He steps forward.

“Now that you understand, would you be willing to join us? Work with us?”

“Yes.” My lie is automatic.

“Well, let’s go upstairs. Into the villa. Let’s talk about it.”

“Are you going to put the gun away?” He’s still holding it.

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