Page 157 of Ace of All Hearts

“How’s the temperature?”Talk about her. Talk about her.“Would you like blankets?”Rose, Rose, Rose.“I know you don’t have a bed, but I’m sure the floor will be f—”

“Just fucking tell me where she is,” I snap as my palm hits the bars.

His satisfied smirk makes my blood boil. I played right into his hand. Silent me doesn’t exist when it comes to Rose’s safety. Only the possessive man who needs to know everything about her.

“My, my, where is your patience?”

“Not in this room. I want to see her.”

“I’m afraid she’s asleep. She did so well today. Once I got rid of that pesky rebellious attitude of hers, she did everything I asked.”

My breathing accelerates, and I can’t stop all sorts of scenarios from running through my head.

One point does help keep my fury under control. If she was rebellious, that means she doesn’t feel the same as before toward him. She doesn’t like him anymore. She doesn’t want to be here.

And while it’s not good that she’s here against her will, at least I know that she will want to escape with me when I do.

Viktor pulls a stool from the side and sits on it.

I look down at him, yet it doesn’t change anything about our power balance. I’m still the one in a cell, and he’s the one with the keys.

“I’ve been thinking about you a lot, Samuel.”

I can finally find my silence again. Safely keeping my thoughts behind tight lips. He wants something.

“British kid who moved to the U.S. when he was ten. Alcoholic dad who was an enforcer for the Bianco Family. Sweet mom who suffered abuse until he killed her. And amongst all that, you were the silent boy who was trained to become the next enforcer.”

He pretends to think for a minute. “You became Bianco’s man when he had your dad killed. That must have been something. Strange that he trusted you after that.”

I loathed my father, and Bianco knew it. He also had my best friend and the girl I loved with him. He knew I’d stay. He knew I had nothing else.

Only I don’t say that.

No, I keep to myself and Viktor seems to know not to expect something in return.

“And when Nathan White put Bianco away, much to my advantage I must say, you went…” He looks for the word for a short few seconds then smiles playfully. “Freelance.”

I cross my arms across my chest and wait for him to get to the bloody point.

“You work for anyone who makes it worth your time and energy. You make good money. You’ve got a perfect score. Well,” he chuckles. “Except for my brother and me, of course. I have a feeling you’re not going to complete this contract.”

My nostrils flare and my muscles tense, but I manage to keep quiet.

“You’re a war machine, Samuel. You’re a great killer. You’re smart, strong, and practically unstoppable. With the right tools and a support system around you, youwill beunstoppable.”

“Bloody hell,” I scoff as I take an instinctive step back.

The bastard wants to offer me a job.

He sees my comprehension because he nods to confirm my thoughts. “Being a solo hitman is a dangerous career path. With no one to protect you, you could end up dead at the first mistake.” He looks around the room. “Sooner than you think.”

He expects an answer now, so I make sure not to say anything.

“The Volkov family always prides themselves on great wages, superb health insurance, and not-to-miss employee benefits.”

He runs his tongue against his front teeth, and I know my silence is getting to him.

“You want my organization’s support, Samuel. I can promise you that. And I want a good enforcer.”

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