Page 83 of Boss's Fake Wife

And there was a dark shadow in front of me, hissing into a phone. “Listen up. You really think I’m playing with you? I will kill her if you don’t bring the money now.”

“Yes, but a million is a lot of money…and you don’t have to use a voice changer, Ferro. I fucking know it’s you.” I instantly recognized Chris’ voice, and my entire body reacted to it. Slowly, it all started coming back to me, from figuring out everything that was going on to being attacked from behind.

God, it was just my luck that I hadn’t even managed to get the word out to Chase about what I discovered. It was going to be hard for them to figure it out without the clue I found.

The business card. I glanced down and saw that it wasn’t with me. Had I dropped it? Did they find it, or did my captor get rid of it before they could?

“It would take me more than a day to get that kind of money together,” said the voice on the loudspeaker, and I noted that Chris’ voice sounded very casual and lax about the whole thing. He didn’t sound horrified and panicked like one would expect when the love of his life was kidnapped, and a tendril of doubt wormed its way into my chest.

How could he claim to love me and be so blasé about my kidnapping?

“You’re telling me the amount is a lot for your honey?” the man sneered, and his sinister tone had every hair rising on my skin. I couldn’t see his face well, but his hushed voice sounded familiar.

Ferro. That was what Chris said on the phone. It was Ferro who attacked me.

“Because I gotta tell you,” he continued. “I know about a dozen men who would pay at least that for her.”

“Yeah.” Chris sounded bored and annoyed. Like this entire thing was merely an inconvenience. “Well, I dunno. I mean, I was kind of done with her anyway, so I’m weighing my options.”

Instant indignation rose and bubbled inside me. He was done with me? What on earth did that mean? Was this entire thing a game to him?

Wait, no, calm down. A faint voice of reason invaded my mind, telling me to listen for the words Chris wasn’t saying. He probably realized this was a hostage negotiation and was trying to save my life by being as calm and unbothered as possible.

“You fucking bastard.” Ferro chortled almost maniacally. “I knew it. I knew you were just toying around. For a second, I thought you might be in love with her or something.” He whistled. “But I don’t think she’s going to be very happy to hear that.”

On the other side, Chris paused as if deep in thought. “Well, you’re not going to tell her, are you?”

“I might. Right before I slit her throat.”

“Okay, okay, okay, no need to be rash, you traitorous asshole. Doesn’t mean I want the girl dead or anything. Let me talk to my business manager and see what I can do.”

“Listen, you piece of shit—”

But it was too late. The line went dead with an audible click.

“Bastard,” my captor muttered, and then I heard two heavy steps on the footboard as he approached me. My heart raced, but I continued feigning sleep.

“I know you’re awake, girl,” he said.

Fear instantly flashed through me, especially at the evil-sounding chuckle he let out. A cold hand touched my cheek, and I jerked involuntarily before my eyes flew open to see him standing right in front of me.

Ferro.

“There are those pretty eyes,” he sneered, and his leering gaze sent a shiver down my spine once again.

“What do you want?” I snarled.

“That’s the question of the century, isn’t it?” he said. “See, at first, I thought I wanted power. I wanted to be part of the most powerful gang in this syndicate so no one could ever touch me. But then your boyfriend decided he didn’t want to be our leader.” Ferro crossed his arms. “And his brother is way too sloppy to lead us effectively.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Brotherhood is sinking,” he explained. “Has been for years, ever since Chris’ old man got sick. The only person fit to lead us was Chris himself, but he said he didn’t want the job. It’s going to be a mess with the cops over there pretty soon. So now I guess I just want enough power so I never have to fuck off and take anyone’s orders ever again.”

“And by anyone, you mean…the shareholders of Revit Renewables?” I probed.

His head snapped to me, and I almost regretted asking, but I had to be sure. I had to know if my theory was true.

“Well, aren’t you a clever girl,” he praised sarcastically. “Did you figure it out already?”

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