Page 174 of Innocent Intentions

He starts shaking.

“No… Yes. But I didn’t know–”

The flame licks his skin.

He screams, but I don’t stop until I’m satisfied.

Roman continues the interrogation. His voice remains smoother than honey.

“How much have they been paying?”

“Ten grand per shipment. Every other Saturday. It’s been about a year.”

“How’d it start?”

“A Russian guy approached me. I declined at first, but he knew about my debt. He raised his offer. I needed the money. My wife had just left me. I thought I could win her back.”

I lean in and let the heat brush over his fresh burn.

Bullshit. He never said no.

“But she didn’t come back, did she?” Roman mocks.

He shakes his head. “No.”

“And what about Margot Peterson?”

He stiffens.

“She found the holes in the paperwork. She dug into the Koschei Group and realized it doesn’t exist. She threatened to go to the authorities. I panicked and told my contact. He said to set up a meeting and let him know when.”

He swallows.

“I set up coffee with her, but she didn’t show. He had men waiting and… they didn’t come back. He was furious. Cut my pay. Said to find her.”

My fists curl.

“I started looking for her. Went to her house. Asked neighbors. Nothing. More men disappeared. He put a bounty on her. Then last night at the gala, I saw her. I called him immediately. I waited until I could get her alone. Led her to the exit.”

He looks down.

“They took her. He paid me. I went home.”

And Margot didn’t.

“Who’s your contact?”

“I don’t know his name. He goes by Koschei. I have a burner phone. I keep it in my nightstand. There’s no password. You can have it.”

Roman’s jaw tightens.

“What are they doing to her?”

“I don’t know. They just said… she wouldn’t be a problem anymore.” He pauses. “And that she’d pay for his men.”

I roar and burn his back again.

His screams fill the room.

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