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“Indeed.” Timothy smirks, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “Well, Ms. Tryst, it seems your loyalty is going to cost you dearly.”
“Arlo…” My voice cracks, the weight of betrayal heavy on my shoulders. “Why?”
“Money talks, darling,” he drawls, stepping closer until his face is mere inches from mine. “And it seems the Volkovs weren’t offering enough.”
“Please,” I whisper, desperation clawing at my throat. “I’m pregnant. Don’t do this.”
“Save your breath,” Arlo says, his voice devoid of emotion. “It won’t change anything.”
“Your loyalty means nothing, then?” I challenge him, my emerald eyes blazing with defiance. “You’d sell out those who trusted you?”
“Business is business.” He shrugs, his gaze cold and unfeeling. “Nothing personal.”
“Remember that when they come for you,” I warn, a flicker of hope igniting within me. The Volkovs won’t let this betrayal go unpunished.
“Bold words for someone in your position,” Timothy taunts, stepping back into the fray. “But we’ll see how long your resolve lasts. Time to have some fun, Arlo.”
My heart hammers in my chest as I stare into Arlo’s cold, unfeeling eyes. The man I danced with at the casino—the one who had seemed so charming—now stands before me as my tormentor. What a cruel twist of fate.
“Y’know,” Arlo says conversationally, “the Volkovs really seem to care about you, Annalise. It’s a shame that all this might happen to you.” His gaze lingers on my swelling belly, and I instinctively place a protective hand over it.
“Which makes me wonder,” he continues, circling me like a predator, “what kind of valuable information you must be carrying around.”
“Go to hell,” I spit out, despite the terror coursing through me. I refuse to let them break me.
“Feisty,” Timothy chuckles darkly. “I like it. But feistiness won’t save you or your precious little secret.”
“Leave my baby out of this,” I plead, clenching my teeth to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
“Give us what we want, and we might just consider it,” Arlo offers, his voice dripping with malice.
“Never,” I hiss, my resolve unwavering.
Timothy’s fist connects with my jaw, and pain explodes through my face. I gasp, tears pricking my eyes, but I don’t dare let them fall. I can’t give them the satisfaction.
“Think about your answer,” Timothy warns, his breath hot against my ear. “Because when I come back, I won’t be so gentle.”
As he leaves the room, I’m left alone with the traitorous Arlo. My body trembles from fear and pain, but I force myself to meet his gaze. There’s nothing more they can take from me now.
“Whatever they’re paying you,” I whisper, my voice hoarse and shaky, “it won’t be enough when the Volkovs come for you.”
Arlo smirks, but his eyes betray a flicker of uncertainty. “We’ll see about that.”
“Remember,” I say, forcing confidence into my words, “you made your choice. And choices have consequences.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Annalise,” Arlo replies, his expression impassive. “It might make this ordeal easier to bear.”
“Or harder for you to live with,” I retort, summoning every ounce of courage I possess.
“Time will tell,” Arlo says with a shrug, leaving me alone with my thoughts and rapidly fading hope.
The cold metal of the chair digs into my back, a chilling reminder of the betrayal that has led me here. Arlo stands before me, his eyes devoid of any emotion I once thought I knew. My heart hammers in my chest, but I refuse to let fear dictate my every move.
“Arlo,” I rasp, my throat raw from the earlier assault. “Why? After everything the Volkovs have done for you?”
He studies me for a moment, as if weighing his options. Then, with a humorless chuckle, he leans in close. “You think I owe them loyalty, Annalise? They were only a means to an end.”
“An end?” I can’t help but scoff, despite the pain it causes. “What could be worth more than what they offered you?”
