That thought kept my chin up and my spine straight as I walked into work. I set Parker’s breakfast and coffee on his desk as usual, then went to mine. No sooner had I sat down and logged into my computer than I looked up to see Viktor standing in front of my counter.
I abruptly sat back in surprise, more than a little trepidation filling me.
He leaned on his arms, bending over the counter toward me.
“How are you this morning, Sage?”
The way he said it sent a shiver of fear down my spine. I knew who he was and exactly what he was capable of, and all of it scared me.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I said, trying to sound normal.
“You know,” he said, “I have…had…a friend who lived here in Chicago. Her name was Hanna. She’s recently been the victim of a nasty break-in. I heard they slit her throat from ear to ear. Can you imagine?”
Bile rose in my throat and if I’d had any doubt as to Viktor’s involvement in Hanna’s murder, I didn’t any longer.
I shook my head. “That’s awful. But I’m sure the cops will catch who did it.”
“Doubtful,” he said.
I didn’t respond to that. Looking behind him, I didn’t see Tania. I wanted to talk with her, tell her what Ryker said. “Is Tania with you this morning?”
He shrugged. “She’s no longer with me, I’m afraid. I found out she’d taken something from me—something quite important. I don’t take kindly to those who betray me.”
I stared at him, hoping he didn’t mean what I thought he meant about Tania.
“It’d be a shame if I found out you or anyone else here had also betrayed me,” he continued, and gone was even a pretense at friendliness. This was a threat, and I was ashamed to realize it scared me. A lot.
“People who talk to the police about things they think they know have a tendency to end up dead,” he continued. “So be careful who you trust, Sage. It just might kill you. And that includes your boss.”
Our gazes were locked on each other and my mouth was utterly dry. There was no mistaking his meaning. Somehow he’d found out that I’d been to see the cops and not only was he threatening me, but he was also threatening Parker.
“Viktor, good morning.”
Parker had approached from behind him and now Viktor turned, the menace on his face melting away into a warm smile.
“Thought we’d get a head start today,” Viktor said. “You don’t mind, I’m sure.”
Parker’s smile was forced. “Of course not. Let’s head into my office.”
Viktor preceded him and Parker briefly glanced at me as he walked by. Something on my face must’ve clued him in because he stopped.
“Are you all right?”
I forced myself to smile, though my face thought it might crack. “Yeah,” I said, my voice too quiet. “I’m fine.”
His gaze was steady. “Tell me.”
My smile faltered a bit and I forced it back, tipping my lips upward, just in case Viktor was watching. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
Parker’s lips thinned, but I kept smiling. I didn’t know what was going on, who the good guys were, and who the bad guys were. Should I tell Parker what Viktor had said? Would Viktor make good on his threat to Parker if I went to the cops? And most importantly of all, what had Tania taken from Viktor?
The wisest course of action at the moment seemed to be to remain silent, so that’s what I did. Several long moments passed. Parker was just watching me and waiting. Both of us knew he could break me; he just had to wait it out.
I was saved by the ringing of my cell phone. Tearing my gaze from Parker’s, I dug the phone from the depths of my purse.
Ryker was calling.
“Um, I’d better take this,” I said to Parker.
His lips thinned, but he walked away into his office. The glass door swung shut behind him and I saw Viktor had already seated himself in front of the desk.
“Where are you?” were the first words out of Ryker’s mouth.
“I’m at work,” I said. “Why?”
“Because they just called to tell me they pulled Niki’s sister out of Lake Michigan this morning.”
Tania. My eyes slipped closed.
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know,” I said.
“Don’t go anywhere,” Ryker said. “I’ll come by and get you, put you into protective custody.”
“You can’t do that,” I said. “Parker needs me to finish this deal. The markets open in a few hours. I can’t just leave.”