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“I’m a grown woman. The only person in charge of my safety is me.”
“That’s not true is it? Your new boyfriend seems to think he can keep you from the world. Like a princess in a tower. Just had to force my hand, both of you.”
“Are you saying it’s my fault that I was kidnapped? You’re ridiculous. Name your price. How much money do you want? All this talk is bullshit.”
“People like you always think it’s about money.” A visible vein throbs at his temple.
“If not for a ransom, to what else do I owe the pleasure of your company, Mr. Turner?” I say sarcastically, evoking that politeness he seems to think I’m lacking.
I can say fuck you with a smile on my face. That’s Country Club Etiquette 101.
His mouth curls in a sneer, his eyes narrow. “Truth be told, I want to get to know you better. What’s so wrong with that?”
I shake my head. “You didn’t need to go all this way to get to know me better. Unfortunately for you, there’s a death sentence hanging over your head. Bryce won’t let you get away with this.”
“Yes, Bryce MacElroy, the genius entrepreneur who patented the most powerful AI surveillance system in the world. He’s made quite a name for himself.”
“That’s right,” I spit. “But it isn’t his name he’ll use to kill you. That’s what his bare hands are for, you piece of shit.”
He laughs. An honest-to-god, full belly laugh. “Yes, I’m familiar with his violent tendencies. Especially with regards to you. Isn’t that right?”
“Fuck you.”
“I suggest you attempt a bit of composure. We don’t want your lover to see you at your worst.”
My brow furrows as I process his statement. “What are you talking about?”
He points to a tiny bubble at the corner of the room, camouflaged by the dark embossed ceiling.
“Say hi to Bryce. Tell him how well cared for you are.”
“Wha—?”
“He’s watching, Anastasia. Didn’t you know your boyfriend has the capacity to tap into any surveillance network? Do you think it was by accident that I told him exactly where to find us? I wasn’t joking when I said I have zero intention of harming you, Ana. It serves everyone for him to see that you’re safe and sound. Go ahead, stand up and give your man a wave.”
I don’t know if I believe him. Maybe it’s stupid to listen to your captor, but if there’s any truth to it, I don’t care how stupid I look. I jump to my feet and stare up at the ceiling.
“Bryce, if you’re there, I’m not hurt. Not at all.” I think about the view of the ocean and our placement on the beachfront. “I don’t think he’s lying that we’re at the Cornerstone Hotel on Virginia Beach.”
The man behind me clears his throat. “Ana, while you’re at it, can you tell Bryce not to bother crashing this party too early? If he comes before the arranged time tomorrow, I’ll detonate the last of my explosives in the shipyard. I’ve got a few at strategic points of the assembly lines. We don’t want years of work turned to rubble.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I say, whipping around to point at him.
“You should thank me for grabbing you outside the building. The workers weren’t harmed, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I exhale and look at my feet, calculating my choices which, at the moment, feel close to nil.
Taking the man at his word, I stare up at the camera.
“I’ll be fine till tomorrow, Bryce. Do not let anything happen at the dock. Make sure it’s evacuated till everything is cleared. This psycho wants my father, but there has to be another way to get me out of this. Do not let my father come here. I’m safe, but I don’t think he will be.”
“That’s enough with your martyrdom, Anastasia. I’m not planning to hurt Nikolay.”
I lift my palms in the air to display my exasperation. “Then why? Tell me! Maybe I can even… maybe I can get you what you want. He has a lot of influence, political and commercial. Is that it? He doesn’t need to be here for that. Use me as your, I don’t know, go-between.”
Somehow, knowing Bryce might be behind that camera emboldens me to try other tactics. The sooner I understand what this man wants, the sooner the information can be used against him.
“You do not need him here. I’ll get whatever you want. Let’s come to a solution that doesn’t involve my father. Please.”
