but that wasn’t what I wanted to do. Damn it, I needed coffee, a purchase I didn’t remember we’d made. Maybe I’d get lucky and find some.
I kept myself busy for the next thirty minutes, using what cleaning supplies I’d found to make the kitchen more presentable. At least I’d found a coffeemaker and a jar full of coffee. After starting the pot, I retreated to the kitchen window, yanking the ugly drapes and searching the backyard.
He was nowhere in sight. I left them open, feeling more uneasy than before. It was obvious we weren’t going to have any additional conversations. Even though there was only powder creamer, the cup of steaming java was heavenly, the bitter taste reminding me of the diner’s coffee. A laugh bubbled to the surface. How many times had I complained about the taste? Now, what I wouldn’t give to have a cup, laughing about whatever customer I’d just had to endure.
Like the Russians.
My skin began to crawl as I thought about them. Had they anticipated finding Nikolai there or was it just coincidence? They’d definitely had an agenda in mind. I tried to remember what they’d said, not just the fear they’d left me with. The asshole seemed more specific than I’d originally thought. There was no doubt they were targeting Nikolai. I’d been such a fool.
“On budet vzyat,” I repeated.
“What. The. Hell?”
Hearing the anger in Nikolai’s voice, I jumped, almost spilling the coffee. I spun around, shocked at the expression on his face. He was furious, the veins on the side of his neck popping. When he stormed into the room, I immediately shifted against the counter, sloshing the coffee onto the floor.
“You will talk to me. There is no other choice. Now, who are you?”
“What are you talking about?” I managed, already shaking all over. Everything about his demeanor had changed, as if I was his enemy.
“I heard what you said. You were a plant. That’s how they’ve been able to find our location. You’re Russian. You’re working for the Bratva.”
Whoa. I was so floored I couldn’t speak. When he inched closer, his hands fisted, I threw out my arm. “No. Are you kidding me?”
“He will be taken. Those were your words.”
“I didn’t know what they meant. That was something one of the guys in the diner said and I overheard.” It was obvious he didn’t believe me, his rage only increasing.
After hesitating briefly, he closed the distance, knocking the cup out of my hand then wrapping his hand around my neck. As he dug his fingers into my skin, I could instantly feel my throat closing. Almost instantly I found it difficult to breathe.
I clawed at his shirt, fisting my hands around the material. He was going to kill me. How could he think I was some double agent? “Please. You’re wrong.”
His hold tightened. “Your interest in my class was fake. You were given a job to infiltrate my world. You speak and understand Russian. I should have been tipped off before. How fucking stupid. Well, that ends here. Before I kill you, you’re going to tell me everything you know. Contacts. Locations. Plans.”
Gasping, I was already lightheaded. I pummeled my fists against his chest, pleading with him with my eyes. “No. I’m… not…”
At first, he squeezed even harder, twisting his hand until pain shot to my head. I could see utter confliction in his eyes, the soulless man having second thoughts.
“Nik-o-lai…”
Hissing, he released his hold, taking a step away and running his hands through his hair.
Coughing, I slumped against the counter, rubbing my throat, the dreaded tears I’d tried so hard to avoid slipping down both cheeks, a sob erupting from my throat.
He continued to glare at me, his chest heaving. “You’re going to tell me everything, princess. I do mean everything that you know. I’ll consider sparing your life if you do.”
I coughed for several seconds, trying to catch my breath. “I… don’t…” I closed my eyes, controlling my breathing as I tried to calm my nerves.
“Talk to me, Chloe.”
“I don’t know anything, Nikolai. Remember the men in the diner? The ones who attacked me? I was just trying to remember what they said. They weren’t who they first appeared to be, but I didn’t catch it until the end of their meal. I also didn’t remember anything until just now. You have to believe me.”
After closing his eyes briefly, he gave me a single nod. I wasn’t certain what that was supposed to mean. That he wasn’t going