Page 79 of Sinful Lord

“Bullshit,” I growl. “She must have reached out to you. How else would you know about her?”

“I have my ways. Now shut up and follow my instructions.”

The notorious Russian gives me a courteous kick to the back and I stumble through the light film of snow covering the streets.

“Easy there, old man,” I warn. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You’re in no position to hurt anyone,” he quickly responds.

“You underestimate me.”

“No. I don’t. Not anymore.” The frustration in his voice is palpable. It sounds like he’s been waiting a long time to catch up to me. “This whole catastrophe is entirely your fault. Right now, I should be enjoying my retirement. Instead, I’ve been running around the fucking globe, chasing the girl you let loose.”

“Sounds like we’re not so different.”

I get another kick to the back. Up ahead, I see an idling car. That must be where we’re going. The trunk is already open.

I can’t let Maksim get me in there. If he does, I might never see Melina again. Fuck. It might already be too late. What are the chances Maksim is here alone. Someone could already be at the apartment.

Clenching my fists, I get ready to do something stupid. I just need an opening. Anything to get back to Melina.

“We’re nothing alike, you scumbag,” Maksim spits. “Now, hand over your weapons and get comfy. We’re going on a bumpy ride.”

“Don’t you want to question me first?” I ask, trying to buy some time. All I need is a bit of time to figure out how I’m going to get out of this.

“Your interrogation can wait until we’re at a more secure location,” Maksim stubbornly insists. ‘I’m not about to risk losing my prime suspect.”

“There’s no time for that shit,” I huff, slowly coming up with a plan. “Melina is in danger.”

That stops the old man in his tracks. The snow stops crunching beneath his feet. I pause too.

Here we go.

“You know where she is, don’t you?” Suddenly, Maksim shoves his pistol into the center of my back. I flinch against the force, but I don’t bend.

“Wait? You don’t?” I ask, trying to hide my relief.

“If I did, you’d already be dead.”

Cranking my neck, I take a deep breath. For a second there, I was worried Maksim might not be here alone. For all I knew, he was sent to neutralize me while someone else picked up the lost princess.

But he must be the first one in Berlin. I still have a chance.

“Well, then stop fucking around. There’s no time to waste. Ask me your questions now, because Melina is in trouble, and I want to save her just as badly as you do.”

Even without turning around, I can sense Maksim’s hesitation. It thickens the crisp winter air.

He cares too much about his niece to pass up on any opportunity to save her, no matter how much he loathes the source of information.

“Keep moving,” he grunts. Placing his hand on my back, he pushes me forward.

“We don’t have time for this!” I shout, letting my very real frustration bubble to the surface.

“Why the hell do you want to save her so badly?” he replies, suspicion filling every word.

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it fucking matters.”