Page 57 of Body and Soul

My teeth ground against each other. “How do you know about that?”

“Information is my trade, Doctor Laskin. There is little that happens in this city that I do not know about, especially when rich and powerful men such as yourself are involved.” He waved a dismissive hand. “But that is beside the point. What matters is that I am uniquely positioned to help you extract your sister from this unfortunate situation.”

I narrowed my eyes, suspicion coiling in my gut. “And why would you do that? What's in it for you?”

Algerone smiled, a dangerous look. “I'm a businessman. I don't offer services for free.”

“Name your price then.” I spoke through gritted teeth, hating the desperation that crept into my voice.

“It's simple. You have something I want, and I have something you need. A trade, of sorts.” He paused, taking a sip of wine before continuing. “Your brother, Xion. He is currently a resident in Twin Valley Behavioral Health’s long-term care unit, yes?”

The breath left my lungs in a rush. I stared at Algerone, my mind spinning. “How do you know about Xion?”

After his psychotic break five years ago, he’d been quietly committed to a state hospital when he was found incompetentfor trial. Since he was a minor, that information was buried deep under layers and layers of red tape.

Algerone's smile turned predatory. “I told you. Information is my trade. I know much about the Laskin family.” He leaned back. “Let’s focus on my offer.”

I fought to keep my expression neutral even as my heart raced. “And what, exactly, is this offer of yours?”

“A trade. You help me extract Xion from Twin Valley, and I, in turn, will assist you in liberating sweet Daniella from the clutches of her cult.” Algerone sipped his wine with a smirk, as if he’d already won.

I shook my head. “You expect me to help you kidnap my own brother from a secure psychiatric facility? What could you possibly want with Xion?”

“Now, now, Doctor. Let's not get bogged down with something so insignificant. Not when there are four million better reasons for you to say yes. And if it wasn’t clear, that’s the finder’s fee. Four million dollars could go a long way to setting your sister and her unborn child up in their new life, don’t you think, Doctor?”

I stared at Algerone, struggling to process his outrageous offer. Four million dollars was an obscene amount of money, enough to ensure Daniella and her baby would want for nothing. But the price he was asking...

“You're insane,” I said coldly, even as a small, desperate part of me whispered that it might be worth it to save Daniella. “I won't be party to kidnapping my own brother, no matter how much money you throw around.”

“We both know your ethics are flexible when motivated. How many criminals have you made disappear?” He leaned in. “We're not so different. We do what must be done, though I don't pretend it's noble.”

I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth ached. I wanted to lash out, to wipe that smug look off Algerone's face with my fists. But I couldn't afford to make an enemy of him, not when Daniella's life hung in the balance.

“I’ll find some other way to free her,” I said flatly. “Whatever you’re offering, I’m not interested.”

Algerone's smile only sharpened at my refusal. He tilted his head. “Do you know what fascinates me about you, Doctor Laskin?” he said, voice deceptively soft. “Your arrogance. Your belief that you are somehow above it all, that your ethics and morals make you untouchable. But I wonder... How strong are those convictions, truly? Everyone has a breaking point. A price at which they will sacrifice anything, even their own soul.”

I glared at him, hands clenching into fists beneath the table. “You clearly don't know me very well then. There is nothing you could offer that would make me betray my own brother.”

“Nothing?” He reached into his suit jacket and withdrew a sleek black phone, tapping at the screen. “Perhaps this will help clarify the gravity of your situation.” He turned the phone to face me.

The blood drained from my face as I stared at the image on the screen. It was a photo of Eli, walking down the street, unaware he was being watched. The picture had clearly been taken from a distance, the graininess suggesting it was shot through a telephoto lens.

“It would be a shame if something were to happen to your pretty little pet,” Algerone said casually, as if remarking on the weather. “Elias, isn't it? Such a sweet, trusting boy. It'd be tragic if he got caught in the crossfire of your obstinacy.”

Rage and terror warred within me, turning my blood to ice and fire. Eli wasmine. How dare he threaten what belonged tome.

I stared at that grainy photo of Eli, my heart pounding against my ribcage like a caged animal. A red haze of fury clouded theedges of my vision. Keres stirred under the surface of my skin, wanting nothing more than to lunge across the table and wrap my hands around Algerone's throat, to squeeze until his smug face turned purple and the life faded from those cold blue eyes.

“Prove it,” I demanded. “Prove you are who you say you are. How do I know you’re not bluffing?”

Algerone's smile widened at my challenge, a shark scenting blood in the water. He set down his phone and steepled his fingers, fixing me with that piercing blue gaze.

“You require proof of my capabilities? Very well.” He glanced over my shoulder, giving a subtle nod to someone behind me.

A moment later, a man in a dark suit approached our table, leaning down to whisper something in Algerone's ear. Algerone listened intently, his expression never changing, before dismissing the man with a flick of his fingers.

“Your boyfriend had a visitor at the tattoo shop earlier today,” he reported. “An FBI agent. Valentine, I’m told. He seemed quite shaken after. Or is it more detailed information you want? Would you like to know Elias Baker’s blood type? How many fillings he has in his teeth? We intercepted some of his medical data earlier this morning. Good news. He’s STI free. I can get you a copy of the report if you’d like.”

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