Page 76 of Brutal Reign
“She disappears. Game over.” A slow, violent chill moves through me. “Fuck me. Simon wants her money.” It tracks. Hong Kong authorities froze all of the Black Company’s assets, which means Simon has to rely on outside cash infusions. “So Chen stalling the payout ensured Simon could get his hands on her inheritance.”
Dinara nods grimly. “Exactly. And now you’ve fucked up that plan. He doesn’t just want Hope for her family name. He also wants her two hundred mill.”
The thought that Simon is using her for her money, on top of everything else, makes me see red. “Does Hope suspect Chen is playing her?”
“I doubt it. She contacted him before you left Hong Kong.”
That might explain Hope’s destroyed phone. She didn’t want me to see who she’d been communicating with.
I narrow my eyes. “How do you even find this shit?”
She smirks with obvious pride. “I’m a digital sorceress.”
I rest my ankle on my knee. “Any activity on the tablet? Has she tried to contact Chen recently?”
Dinara raises a pierced eyebrow. “Not yet, but my guess is it’s a matter of time.”
“Good. Let her. If she’s still waiting on that money, she might try to contact Chen. And if he’s working with Simon, it might be our only shot at finding him.” Simon has gone underground in Hong Kong, where we have few allies.
I don’t like using Hope this way. If I had a choice, I’d tell her the truth, but I don’t think she’d believe me. She trusts Chen, and she doesn’t trust me… yet. But I’m working on it.
I stand and grab the last of Dinara’s energy drink.
“Hey!” She makes a swipe for her drink, but I bat her hand away.
“It’s mine now. Get your own.”
It’s fucking gross, but I have a feeling tonight’s going to be a long one.
I squeeze her shoulder affectionately. “Good work, Dinochka. Email all of this to me. I’m going to forward it to Maxim and the others. Her messages to Chen make it clear she never wanted to be part of his world. They can see the truth about Hope for themselves.”
I leave Dinara to finish up and head upstairs to the main floor.
“Ready or not, here I come!” Hope’s voice carries through the hallway.
Before I can take another step, Kin darts into view, all messy hair and mischief, eyes darting around like he’s searching for something.
His face lights up when he sees me, and he makes a beeline in my direction.
“Hide with me!” he whispers urgently, casting a glance back in the direction of Hope’s voice.
I have a mountain of work waiting, calls to make, and the Chen situation to handle. He must see my reluctance because his face falls.
“Please? Mama’s really good at finding me.”
How could I say no to that face?
Yarik appears, and we exchange a silent nod. Hope must have asked him to keep an eye on the kid. It’s clear Hope has a soft spot for my old boxing coach, and the feeling is mutual. Can’t blame him.
“Alright,” I whisper back, scanning the corridor. “Where to?”
I wink at Yarik, letting him know I’ll take over Kin watch.
Kin leads me into the game room, past the vintage arcade machines and pool table, straight to the far corner where a large leather couch sits against the wall.
“Behind here!” he announces.
I look at the tiny gap, then down at my six-foot-four frame, and nearly laugh out loud. “You sure I’m going to fit back there, buddy?”
