Page 10 of His Hold

"Liar." I stand, ignoring the gun. "Someone saw you with her right before she disappeared. What did you do to my sister?"

"Sit. Back. Down." Each word drips with menace.

"Or what? You'll shoot me? Go ahead. But you'll never know why I've been following you."

His free hand grips my throat, pushing me back onto the bed. "There are worse things than dying, little girl."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"Then you're stupid as well as reckless." He leans in, studying my face. "You look like her. Same eyes."

My heart stops. "So you do know her?"

The gun presses harder against my temple. "Yes, I had to do my research on you to find out what you wanted. I found out that I did know your sister. She was a beauty that one.”

I lunge towards him. “Tell me, you bastard.”

“One step more and I'll paint your walls with your brains. Understand?"

I nod slowly and retreat. He knows something. And I'm going to find out what, even if it kills me.

"Here's what happens next." Nikolai releases my throat but keeps the gun fixed. "You tell me everything you know, and maybe I'll let you live."

"I could say the same to you." The towel slips and I clutch it tighter. "Where is she?"

Then he laughs like I’ve said something funny.

"Tell me something," he leans in, his height forcing me to look up. "Do you make a habit of provoking dangerous men, or am I special?"

"Don't give yourself too much credit. I've seen scarier guys at my local gym."

"Really?" His lips quirk. "Do they also make people disappear for a living?"

"No, but their protein shake obsession is truly terrifying."

His fingers flex on the gun. "Cute. Making jokes while staring down a barrel. Either very brave or very stupid."

"Maybe I just don't find you as intimidating as you think you are."

"Says the woman who hid behind trees to watch me."

"I wasn't hiding," I snap. "I was... conducting surveillance."

"Is that what we're calling amateur stalking these days?"

"Rich, coming from the man who broke into my apartment. At least I had the decency to spy from a distance."

A crooked smile plays at his mouth. "Next time you want my attention, try asking nicely. Less of a chance of getting shot."

"I'll keep that in mind for my next mafia stalking adventure."

"You do realize I could kill you, right now?”

“I don’t care,” I snap, gripping the towel tighter. “I need answers about my sister. So, tell me, because I know you know exactly who I’m talking about.”

His expression darkens instantly. “Ah, yes, Irina. You think I hurt her?"

“I saw your picture,” I spit back. "With her. Right before she vanished."

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