Page 41 of Coerced Queen

A sneer contorts her lips even as she bounces her knee in a nervous reaction.“Rachele said you could talk your husband out of blowing me to pieces when he goes after Raphael.”She watches me with uncanny attention as I take a seat across from her.“Is that true?And don’t waste my time.I only have ten minutes.”She looks at the window.“Raphael’s men never leave me alone for longer.”

“Yes.”I remove my scarf but don’t bother with my coat.I’m not staying that long.“I have a proposition for you.”

“What do you want?”she asks with animosity, turning a cool gaze back to me.

A waiter comes up to take my order.I ask for a cup of green tea, waiting until he’s gone before I speak.

“Raphael recently received a shipment of arms.”

She watches me quietly.

“I want to know what was in those containers, and the information better be exact.”I add with meaning, “To the last bullet.”

Her lips part.She studies me for a moment, and then she utters a soft laugh.“You’re crazy if you think Raphael will tell me that.”

“I want to know how many guns and grenades he has in every arsenal he keeps across this country.Get me an inventory, and you’ll be safe when Saverio retaliates.”

She scoffs.“Saverio may not win this war.There’s a big chance he won’t.”She pulls the sugar pot closer and takes a packet of sweetener.“So your deal is no good to me.”

The statement makes me nauseous, but I don’t show her how her words affect me.

“What do you want?”I ask, trying to get a read on her.

The waiter returns with my tea.

When he’s left, she says, “I want to disappear.I want a new identity.”

I think about the fake passports in Saverio’s desk drawer.“That can be arranged.”

She tears open the packet and pours the contents into her mug.My gaze is drawn to the bruise on her wrist where her sleeve has moved up.

I reach over the table and place a hand on her arm.“Elena.”

She stiffens at my touch.

Concern squeezes my ribcage.I look pointedly at the purple mark that’s turning green around the edges.“Did he do that to you?”

She yanks her arm away and pulls down her sleeve to cover the bruise.“I want a guarantee that you can get me what I want.”

I sit back.“I can send you a photo of your new passport.As soon as you get me the inventory, I’ll deliver it in person.”

She nods, blinking back moisture that gathers in her eyes.

“Elena,” I say again.“If he’s hurting you?—”

“How am I supposed to get that kind of information?”

“Do you have the password for his computer?”

She makes a face.“What do you think?”

“Can you get access to his bank account?”

Her smile is wry.“He closed the account my father opened for me.I don’t have a credit card or a penny at my disposal.Raphael pays for whatever I need.It’s his way of controlling me.”

Wow.What a dick.“How about his banking details then—an account or wire transfer number?”

She picks up her spoon and stirs her tea.“He doesn’t share those details with me.”

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