they couldn’t afford to wait. There was no telling what the next visit would entail.
Addy’s pulse quickened when the door creaked open. She remained curled as she’d been before. Fatima was crouched against the wall.
Most of her fighting power came from her legs, but they were almost useless since they were still manacled together at the ankles. But almost was good enough since she had the element of surprise on her side.
She hoped.
They entered with two in the front, one in the back. A fourth entrant followed carrying a large duffel bag.
The interrogator.
A short, slight figure entered behind the man. Though the person was shrouded in all black and wore a ski mask, the curves along her body were distinctive. A woman? Surprise stilled Addy’s breathing.
Interesting.
And unexpected.
“I was not told there were three,” the interrogator said.
“The other two are useless.”
“Hardly. They’re incentive,” the man replied. His gaze swept to Addy.
She opened her eyes and glared up at him as he drew to halt near her. She spat on his shoes. “You’re wasting your time. I won’t tell you anything.”
“Interesting,” he replied. “That means you have something worth knowing. Who is she?” His gaze returned to the three men fanned out around Kristof.
“His guard,” one of them answered. “Iriana Duprinksy. She fought in the underground for a couple of weeks, but she’s a woman. Weak. She knows nothing.”
“Did you interrogate her?”
“No.” The second man approached. “We were told to focus on Lavrov.”
The interrogator shook his head and set his duffel bag down. Eyes blacker than death peered at Addy. “Amateur hour is at an end. Tell me what you know, and I’ll kill you quickly.”
“Go to hell.” Addy sat up, keeping her body against the wall to hide the loose ring.
Time.
She needed to stall long enough for The Arsenal to arrive.
Show no fear.
Her pulse thudded hard in her ears as he prowled across the room and dragged the cart to where Addy was. “Stand her up.”
The second and third man wrapped meaty hands around her arms and hauled her up.
Cold seeped into Addy as unease pricked her skin. She’d survived bastards like him more than a few times, but she wasn’t about to do so again. No way in hell would she let Kristof take more pain than he’d already endured.
Fatima whimpered, which drew the interrogator’s attention to her.
“And who is she?”
“No idea,” the third man said. “She was in the car.”
The interrogator sighed. “I do hate working for idiots.”
Addy chuckled. “I’ll pay you double whatever they are. Let us go.”
“That’s not an option, I’m afraid,” the man replied as he pulled out a syringe. “I gave my word. I never back out from a contract.”
“Then you’re a fool. You won’t survive this. If we die, they’ll hunt you down and make your death worse than any nightmare you’ve ever had.” Addy glared at the men surrounding her.
“I am the nightmare,” the interrogator said.
“What’s your name?” Addy asked.
“It won’t do you any good. You’ll be dead soon enough.” The man set the syringe down. He grabbed her hair and yanked hard. He drew a knife from his belt and pressed it against her throat. “You aren’t afraid. Why not?”
“I’ve killed far scarier bastards than you. I’ve trained with even deadlier.” She shrugged. “Your mediocre tactics won’t work on me. I’ve worked alongside the real nightmares.”
The man laughed. “Your lies are amusing. No one is worse than me.”
She laughed, forcing the sound out despite the fear crawling up her throat. She needed him off center. He was likely used to people reacting with terror. If she showed him none, he’d be intrigued.
He’d need to know why before the real pain began.
“Your lies are amusing.” She repeated his statement and glared at him.
The knife scraped along her skin. “I’ve skinned people for disrespecting me.”
“Interesting lie,” she said. “Only one man is known for doing that, and you aren’t him. Did you work with him at The Collective? Are you a Judge wannabe like everyone else?”
The man’s gaze widened. “I am the Judge.”
Addy grinned. “I think the real Judge would disagree. He’s taught me a few things, you know. Hurt us and he’ll come after you.”
His eyes widened again. “Who are you?”
“It won’t do you any good. You’ll be dead soon enough.” She repeated his words once again and smiled. “I’ll string you up and skin you first. Then I’ll eviscerate you. I heard someone can be kept alive for hours if it’s done right.”
The man backed away and reached for the syringe.
Addy sprang.