Page 269 of Enemies

“You’re excused,” Mischa instructs his fiancée.

What? No.

Her presence might keep things from getting ugly.

But Eva doesn’t protest, just nods without looking at me and closes the door silently behind her.

Didn’t plan on being alone with the madman. Figured I could get in, provide Harrison and the police the visual confirmation they needed to take action.

Please take some damned action.

“Miss Madani,” Mischa drawls, interrupting my thoughts. “I understand your set was tremendous.”

“It was. I wanted to thank you for the opportunity.”

He spreads his hands. “So, thank me.”

I lift my chin. “I just did.”

One of the guards, who is on his phone, hangs up and taps Mischa on the shoulder. “Third loading dock. In the kegs.”

I straighten. That must be where they’re moving the drugs.

Did my camera pick up the audio? It must have.

Mischa nods to the guard but speaks to me. “A woman who brings Harrison King to his knees. Perhaps I should be thanking you. He’s been distracted enough I was able to sweep this place out from under him.”

My heart kicks, the hard ball of tension in my stomach giving a degree.

“My empire is expanding,” he goes on, and I can’t resist taking a shot.

“Through cheap drugs that kill people?”

His smile freezes. “Every war has collateral damage, Miss Madani.”

“You can’t call it collateral damage when you’re planning a delivery of the same drugs tonight.”

Mischa’s eyes flash. I’ve made a mistake. Maybe he’ll drag Eva back in here. Or he thinks I’ve figured this out on my own.

Armed police will be here any minute.

He shifts off the couch, adjusting his cuffs. “I can call it whatever the fuck I want. I’m more interested in talking about you. You are quite appealing, though you don’t try to be. It’s that attribute that makes you desirable.”

Smug son of a bitch. I’m vulnerable here, but there’s a part of me that won’t be silenced. The assumption that women exist to attract men, that we’re pawns to be desired and manipulated.

“I thought it was the fact that I’m with Harrison. I mean, that seems to be what gets you off. Going after what he has. His parents. His brother. His fiancée.” I glance back at the door, toward wherever Eva’s gone.

But instead of looking angry, Mischa laughs. “I’ve never seen him so captivated by someone. You gave him something his entire corporation never could.”

“What’s that?”

“Hope. And now we’re going to take it away from him.”

Sweat rolls between my shoulders.

Where are the police?

The truth washes over me in a sickening wave.

---