Page 79 of Seven

“So, what am I doing here? Does this have something to do with my father?”

His lips twitched like he was amused, but it was gone in an instant. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. “So, you do know why you’re here.”

“No, I don’t.” I lifted my chin and looked him right in the eyes. “I just assumed it had something to do with him since you murdered him and have been searching for something ever since.”

He didn’t deny killing my father.

Nor did he deny he was searching for something.

He just sat there, staring at me with those cold blue eyes for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, he leaned back in his leather chair and said, “Your father made promises. Promises he did not keep.”

“My father and I weren’t close.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then, you know…” My heart pounded, but I didn’t let it show. I refused to let him see an ounce of fear. “I have no idea what my father has been up to, not with you or anyone else.”

Silence.

He didn’t look angered by my answer. It was almost like he expected it. He stood and walked across the room. I didn’t move. I just sat there and watched as he eased the door open and said something to one of the men standing guard. They spoke for a moment, and then, he closed the door and started back over to me.

I should’ve been terrified.

I should’ve been crying and begging for my life.

But I wasn’t.

He didn’t look at me like he wanted to hurt me.

Instead, he seemed intrigued by me. He stopped next to my chair and reached over to me, taking a strand of my hair between his fingers. “You’re beautiful, Miss Warren. I haven’t seen such beautiful woman in quite some time.”

I didn’t respond.

I just gave him a slight roll of the eye.

“It’s true, but that’s not news for you.” His eyes skirted over me. “A woman with your appeal knows the power she possesses. And I must say, it makes me wonder why a lady of such fine caliber would degrade herself by associating with that biker fellow.”

It was strange. He was clearly Russian, just like the men who’d brought me here, but his accent was almost nonexistent. He just dropped a word here and there and had an occasional mix-up on words. It made me wonder if he’d ever actually lived in Russia. Regardless, he was an arrogant asshole. “You don’t know anything about me or my caliber, and you certainly don’t know anything about him!”

“I know his little biker club has made quite a name for themselves.” A smug look crossed his face as he spat, “Good for nothing criminals, if you ask me. Certainly not fit for woman like you.”

“Are you honestly trying to say you’re any better?” I had no idea what I was thinking when I snapped, “You killed my father… and the detective and you kidnapped me! That’s three for three, and I still don’t have any idea why!”

“You have it wrong.” He came back over to the desk and glared at me as he sat down. “I didn’t kill your father.”

“What? But you said…”

“I never said I murdered him, Miss Warren. I said he made promises he did not keep.” He leaned back in his chair. “Your father and I have worked together for many years, and he has made me great deal of money. I considered him a friend. I had no reason, nor desire, to kill him.”

“And the detective?”

“Oh, don’t shed a tear for Detective Joyner. He’s on the payroll. Not mine, but somebody’s. He’s known who killed your father for quite some time, but he has made no move to arrest them. Nor will he.”

“But he seemed…”

“Don’t they all?” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “And as far as you are concerned, yes. I had you kidnapped as a means to an end.”

“What does that even mean?”

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