Page 41 of Throttle All the Way

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed the number. It rang twice before a deep, gravelly voice answered.

“Detective Garcia.”

“Ah, Noel Garcia,” I drawled, savoring the way the name rolled off my tongue. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

“Volkov,” he said, his voice sharp and unyielding.

“You didn’t you could keep her for yourself, did you detective?”

“What did you do, Volkov?” Noel’s voice was a low growl, every syllable laced with barely restrained fury.

“Oh, Detective. I haven’t done anything…yet,” I smiled cruelly.

“Where is she? Where’s Mila?”

The name hung in the air like a challenge, thick with unspoken threats. I glanced at Mila, still bound, her breath hitching as she fought against the weight of her terror. Even now, there was fire in her eyes, though it flickered like a candle about to be blown out.

I smirked, savoring the moment as I tilted my head to study her. She looked up at me, desperation and fury battling for dominance on her face. Her wrists strained against the cold bite of the chains holding her, the metal clinking softly as if mocking her efforts.

“She’s right here,” I said finally, the smirk spreading into a wicked grin as I brought the phone closer to her.

Mila’s breath hitched, and her wide, panicked eyes darted to the phone. She shook her head frantically, her chains rattling with the force of her movements, but there was no escaping this.

I leaned closer, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face with deliberate care. "Say hello to your knight in shining armor, Mila."

Her lips trembled, her breath shallow as though the weight of the moment was crushing her chest. For a second, she didn’t speak, the silence stretching between us.

“Mila?” Noel’s voice, louder now, cracked with an urgency that sent a chill through the room. "Mila, are you there? Say something!"

I tilted the phone closer to her lips, savoring the way her resolve wavered, how the fight in her eyes dimmed just slightly. "Come now," I urged softly, the false gentleness in my tone designed to cut deeper than any threat. "Don’t leave him hanging. Or do you want him to worry?"

A small, shuddering gasp escaped her lips, barely audible but enough to send a bolt of tension through the line.

“Volkov,” Noel snapped, the fury in his voice cutting through the silence like a whip. "Let me talk to her. Now."

I chuckled darkly, leaning back against the wall. "Oh, you’re talking to her, Noel. Don’t you hear her? That trembling little breath? It’s quite enchanting in person, I must admit. Such a shame you’re missing it."

“You bastard.” His voice was a low, dangerous rumble now, the kind of tone that promised vengeance with every syllable. “If you’ve hurt her?—”

“You’ll do what?” I interrupted, my voice rising slightly in mockery. "You’ll storm in here like the hero you think you are and save the day? I don’t think you’re quite in a position for that, are you?"

Noel didn’t answer immediately, and I could almost feel the storm of rage building on the other end of the line.

“What do you want, Volkov?” he demanded finally, his voice tight, controlled—just barely.

I paused, letting the silence drag out, savoring the way it coiled around him like a noose. Then, with deliberate care, I brought the phone back to Mila, my grin widening.

“Tell him, Mila,” I said softly, my voice dripping with venomous sweetness. "Tell him where you are. Let him knowwho’s keeping you company tonight. Who’s going to fuck your hot slutty twat tonight."

“Fuck you!” Her jaw tightened, but I could see the tears pooling in her eyes, the cracks forming in her fragile mask of defiance.

“You son of a bitch,” Noel barked, his voice raw, desperate. “You lay a finger on her…”

“And what?” I let out a slow, satisfied laugh, the sound reverberating through the room. "Oh, Noel, you wound me. I’ve barely begun."

I chuckled, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her head back. “Speak,” I commanded.

“Cipher,” she choked out, her voice trembling. “Don’t list?—”

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