“I’d say I’m flattered, but I’m not. Do we have a deal?”
“I do not make deals.”
“Fine,” I grind out. “Then do I have permission to give them something that will lead them toward Ivan and not you?”
A sharp nod.
The go ahead.
“Wonderful,” I mutter.
I turn, walking past him to the door, thinking our meeting is over.
I should know by now that with Marek, there isalwayssomething more.
“You did not think I would have accepted a meeting with yousimplyto discuss an errant biker club, now did you, Acacia?”
I pause and suck my breath into my lungs as my skin prickles. The tone of his voice has everything inside me tensing.
I don’t like it.
I don’t trust it.
I don’t turn.
I feel him approach; the air thickens, and his presence is strong behind me as he leans in close to my ear and murmurs, “I know your mother didn’t call me. I know you’re lying. I know you have done something.”
No.
I thought I had pulled that phone call off.
I thought he believed me.
I should have known better.
Marek cannot be manipulated.
It is a mistake I know I’m about to pay for.
“I don’t know where she is,” I whisper. “I swear to you, Marek. I was just trying to buy some more time.”
“You’re a liar,” he snarls. “You know what I do to liars, girl.”
My bottom lip trembles with pure fear.
“I’m not lying,” I keep my voice steady. “I don’t know where she is.”
“We shall see.”
No.
No.
Bringing his fingers to his lips, he whistles.
It’s a whistle that I’ve heard before, a whistle that I know means pain and anguish. Within seconds, the door opens and two of his men appear at the base of the RV.
“Take her to the cage.”