Page 177 of Innocent Intentions

Viktor shoots him a glare, but it’s gone in a blink.

I sit.

He smiles again. “You’ve been difficult to find, Miss Peterson. All I’ve wanted is a simple conversation. There’ve been odd things happening around you.”

Bullshit he just wanted to talk.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” I keep my voice even. Play dumb. That’s my move.

“It came to my attention that you stumbled onto some shipments you shouldn’t have. You know what they say, ‘curiosity killed the cat.’ I don’t think you have a death wish, so I figured I owed you a talk.”

“‘But satisfaction brought it back,’” I shoot back.

He blinks. “Excuse me?”

“That’s the full saying. Most people don’t know it. It means curiosity is risky, but having the answer makes it worth it.” I smirk, just a little. One point for me.

“Clever. You remind me of my daughter, Katerina.” He raises a brow. “Has your snooping been worthit, considering it landed you here? Considering you’ve been in hiding for months?”

Point revoked.

“Where have you been? You vanished from work and left your home. My men stopped by multiple times to retrieve you. Some never came back. Then, out of nowhere, you appear at a gala far above your pay grade. It’s puzzling.”

“I’ve been here and there. I moved,” I say vaguely.

“Hmm. Well, back to the matter at hand. You stuck your nose where it didn’t belong and caused us all kinds of trouble. What exactly did you find?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit someone as intelligent as yourself. What did you uncover about the Koschei Group and the shipments coming through your company?” His smile falters for a second.

“All I saw were some shipments at weird hours without full invoices. I looked into the company, and they didn’t seem real. I told my boss.”

“Who else?”

“No one.” I lie. The Syndicate knows.

“It would be unwise to lie to me. Did you go to the authorities?”

“No! I swear I didn’t.” At least that’s true.

“Hmm. I believe you. Now tell me, what happened to my men? The ones who went looking for you? Two disappeared. Then three more. That’s a problem.”

“I have no idea.” Another lie.

He glares. “What did I say about lying? Where are they?”

“I really don’t know. Maybe they ran away. I hope you find them.” I try to come across as innocent.

“WHERE ARE MY MEN?” he shouts.

“WHY DON’T YOU ASK MATTHIAS AND ROMAN MONTCLAIR!” I shout back.

So much for innocent.

He freezes. Shock, then suspicion overtake his expression.

“What do you know about them?”

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