Page 132 of Crossover

He smirked. “That’s not happening.”

“Meaning what?” What was his plan, to hold me hostage?

He looked at his watch. “You needn’t concern yourself with it.”

“Bullshit. In case you didn’t catch it the first time, I’m not some random civilian that will roll over to your every command. The only way this is going to work is if you’re straight with me.”

“Trying to get intelligence?”

I rolled my eyes. “Jesus, how do you operate the biggest criminal enterprise with this much paranoia?”

“It was a nice little speech you gave. Maybe it’s true.” Vosch raised his bushy eyebrows. “But I base trust off of actions. Took me over a year to trust Daniel.”

Great. I was under no delusion that I would win Vosch’s complete trust, but I didn’t need his complete trust. All I needed was for him to let down his guard enough for me to scratch him.

“Fine, don’t trust me; I don’t give a shit. But I delivered what I promised, so unless you have something else for me, I’m going to leave.”

His minions stepped forward in unison.

“You’ll leave when I say you can leave.” Vosch picked a piece of lint off his pants.

“And when will that be?” I demanded.

“Why are you in such a rush?”

“I betrayed my country. Every minute that I sit with you is a minute where I could be caught.”

Vosch seemed to consider my words, and though the change to his features was subtle, I could tell that I was playing my part well. What person in my position wouldn’t be urgent to get outof here? After all, an assassin who was about to kill him would be finding excuses to stay, not leave.

Vosch looked at his watch.Again. A Patek Philippe, naturally.

“We can leave,” he said, rising to his feet.

Shit. I didn’t expect him to call my bluff, and for a second, I thought he was actually letting me go, but when I rose to my feet, his minions surrounded me.

“Time to board,” Vosch said.

Ice shot through my limbs. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You and I have a train to catch.”

I swallowed, my eyes assessing the men surrounding me, all of them armed, all of them watching for any sign of noncompliance.

“You never said anything about a train.”

“Perhaps it’s time to educate you on how I handle business,” Vosch said condescendingly. “I tell you to board a train, you board the fucking train.”

No. This couldn’t happen.

If we boarded a train, there would be no way for me to escape his associates once I delivered the toxin. Not to mention, the space was even more enclosed, trapping innocent civilians with no way out if guns started firing.

“I’m not getting on a train,” I said.

But Vosch was already walking, unconcerned with my defiance.

To my horror, two of his men grabbed my elbows. Evidently, they didn’t care if we created a scene. But worse, as they shoved me forward and I tried to jerk away from their hold, my watch came dangerously close to hitting the man to my left.

I couldn’t jerk my arms away without taking him out.

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