Page 98 of One Last Stand

No. “You killed him?”

“Not personally. But I knew people who wanted him dead. You don’t count the Petrovs’ money without knowing who they double-crossed.”

He crossed his arms. “You’re looking at the leader of the Drago Petrovs, yes. And I want my money back.”

Her mouth opened. “You weren’t . . . I mean?—”

“Yes, darling. Drago Petrov died the day you stole his money. I thought it would be easy—blame it on you.”

And suddenly, it all clicked. How Alan Martin had found them, betrayed them. And how Tomas had so easily “obtained” the seed code. And even why he’d stayed behind at the foot of the mountain in Zermatt.

He’d sent her up on the mountain for Alan to kill her. Maybe even serve her up as a trophy.

“You faked your own death. You weren’t evenatthe chalet for the avalanche.”

“No. Watching. And when you went missing . . . well, I went back for my money. The last thing I expected was for you to have already transferred it to your own wallet. Tricky, tricky girl.”

See, there was a reason she hadn’t told him about the transfer, she just hadn’t known it.

“Why didn’t you kill me when you first met me?”

“We needed to see who you were working for. And eliminate them. And it worked out better than I thought—or would have. Drago is a ghost, and I can walk in and out of any country I want, no questions asked. It’s amazing what you can do when you’re dead.” He leaned forward. “Although, the key is tostaydead, darling.”

Her mouth tightened. “You sent the Orphans after me.”

He shrugged.

“Youbetrayedme.”

“That’s rich.”

She looked away.

He got up, put his hands in his pockets. Smiled. “So, I’ll start with manners. I’d like my money back, please.”

“Seriously?”

He nodded to the man behind her, and Igor pressed the taser to her neck.

“Tomas—”

“You will give us the seed code, sweetheart. Because if you don’t, you’re not the only one who will suffer.”

London’s eyes widened as another version of Igor came into the room, this time guiding a woman by the arm, her hands tied behind her back. Her long dark hair hung a little disheveled from a ponytail, and she wore all back—black leggings, black tunic, black boots.

“Ziggy!”

Blood pooled at the side of her mouth, her eye bruised, and she winced a little when the man shoved her down on the sofa beside London.

“What—”

“Sorry I’ve been incommunicado. Got tied up.” She winked.

“What are you—” She turned to Tomas. “What is she doing here?”

“Your legendary Black Swan leader? Oh, she’s been causing trouble for me for years. I thought it might be time to come to an agreement.”

Ziggy narrowed her eyes at him. “What kind of agreement is that?”

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