Page 75 of Sinful Promise

“Who is this?”

“Roman Volkov. You stole something from me and need to make amends to the tune of one million euros, not rubles.”

“Is that all, eh? You are stupid, all of you. I took more than your guns. I took out your father. It was so easy to kill him, and it will be easy to kill you, too.” His words drip with hatred.

I look to Alex, who puts his palms together, signaling for me to remain calm.

“The weaponse are gone?” Andrian barks.

“Great, then you have my money.”

“What makes you think I would give in to your demands?” His surly voice makes my skin crawl. “I’m the one with the advantage.”

“I propose we make an exchange in Monaco. It’s one country you can still get into.”

“Why would I come?”

“I have what you want.”

“There is no way you have anything I want,” he bluffs, but I can tell I have his attention. “What is it? More guns?” He laughs, and I want to strip him of is arrogance.

“Maybe you’re missing a woman, maybe not.”

“No!” I can tell he’s pissed. He still wants her, judging from the level of anger in his voice. I give Alex a nod. We’re back in the game.

“Yes, I do. She’s a pretty girl. Easy to see why you picked her. We were on to you,” I lie, wanting to unnerve him and keep him guessing. “Dasha is with me, and I think she’s worth a million.”

“What makes you think I will pay for her? She isn’t worth that much. You’d be better off selling her at auction to some sadist with a fetish for virgins.”

“Don’t you want your dignity back? You can use her as an example for those who have disappointed you.” I hate saying this about Dasha, but he’ll never get his hands on her. I need him to take the bait and come to me. “I propose an exchange: your virgin for my money, and we’ll call it even.”

“You put a hand on her, I’ll kill you,” he threatens.

“Fine. Monaco, Saturday. I’ll call with the time and place.”

“Good. I can’t wait to kill you and your family.”

“Don’t forget to bring the money, asshole.”

I hang up.

“Ugh,” I say to Alex. “I need a shower after talking to him.”

“Good thing Dasha ran, and we were there. I don’t trust him. She may still end up on the auction block.” Alex adds, “Or worse.”

“He admitted killing Dad. I have to call my brothers. We all have a target on our backs, thanks to my impetuosity.”

“You never would have learned the truth behind your father’s murder otherwise. Andrian is cunning. We can’t underestimate him. You take him out, or he will systematically hunt each of you down. Now that he knows you have her, the clock is ticking.”

“I’m calling my brothers.” I type in their phone numbers on the keyboard, and within seconds, their faces appear on the monitor.

“Bad news,” I tell them. “From what we’ve been able to piece together, Ratmim was hired to steal our weapons, but his boss, Andrian, set everything up. He needs the guns to stir up unrest in another country. Dasha can’t go back to him.”

Nikolay groans and puts the palm of his hand to his forehead. “Roman, I told you not to start a war.”

“Women and children are to be off limits. But Andrian has no code. He’s a trafficker. What are her chances without us?”

“Sounds to me like you’re pussy-whipped,” Dmitry interjects.

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