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But when I open the door, it's not Avros's towering form I see. Instead, an older man in an expensive suit stands before me, a cold smile on his face that doesn't reach his eyes.
"Miss Reeves?" he says smoothly. "I believe we have some business to discuss."
I frown, confusion momentarily overriding my emotional turmoil. "I'm sorry, who are you?"
The man's smile widens, reminding me of a shark circling its prey. "My name is Michael Schwartz. I represent certain... interested parties who would very much like to speak with you about your relationship with Avros Petrov."
My blood runs cold. Schwartz. The name clicks in my memory. He’s Josiah's father. The man whose son Miron allegedly killed, setting this whole nightmare in motion.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I say, trying to close the door. But Schwartz is quicker, wedging his foot in the opening.
"Oh, I think you do," he says, his voice losing its pleasantness, contempt in its place. "You've been living in Petrov's house, privy to his private affairs. You must have seen things, heard things. Things that could be very valuable to the right people."
I shake my head, fear crawling up my spine. "I don't know anything. Please, just leave me alone."
Schwartz's eyes narrow. "Don't play dumb, Miss Reeves. It doesn't suit you." He reaches into his jacket, pulling out a sleek phone. With a few taps, he turns the screen towards me. "Perhaps this will jog your memory."
My breath catches as I see myself on the screen, clearly visible through Avros's bedroom window. The timestamp shows it was taken just days ago. As I watch in horror, the video plays, showing Avros entering the room, pulling me into a passionate embrace.
"You've been watching us?" I gasp, feeling violated and exposed.
Schwartz shrugs, unrepentant. "Petrov has taken everything from me. My son, my business, my reputation. There’s nothing much for me to salvage at this point, so I'm willing to do whatever it takes to bring him down." His eyes glitter with a dangerous intensity. "And you, my dear, are going to help me do it."
"I won't," I say, lifting my chin defiantly. "I don't care what you think you know. I won't betray Avros."
To my surprise, Schwartz laughs. "Such loyalty. I wonder if Petrov would show you the same consideration." He pulls out a thick envelope, waving it temptingly. “This is five thousand dollars in cash, but it’s just a taste of what I can give you.”
“What you can give me?”
“Five million dollars, Miss Reeves. Tax-free, untraceable. Enough to start a new life anywhere you want. All you have to do is tell me everything you know about Avros Petrov's illegal activities."
For a moment, just a moment, I'm tempted. The money would secure a future for my baby, far away from the dangers of Avros's world. I could disappear, start fresh somewhere no one knows me.
But then I think of Avros. Of the tender way he holds me at night, the passion in his kisses, the vulnerability in his eyes when he looks at me. His voice, murmuring Russian words of affection in my ear. Despite everything, I can't bring myself to betray him. Maybe that makes me a fool, but I would be twice the fool if I trusted this angry, vengeful stranger at my door.
"No," I say firmly, pushing against the door. "I won't help you. Now please, leave before I call security."
Schwartz's face darkens, all pretense of civility vanishing. "You stupid girl," he snarls, shoving the door open so hard I stumble back. "Do you think I'm giving you a choice? You'll tell me what I want to know, or I'll?—"
"Or you'll what?"
The deep, menacing voice from the hallway stops Schwartz mid-sentence. My heart leaps into my throat as I recognize it instantly.
Avros.
20
Avros
The moment I hear Schwartz's voice through the hotel room door, a red haze descends over my vision. How dare he come after Sydney? How dare he try to turn her against me?
I don't hesitate. With one powerful kick, I send the door flying open, the cheap lock splintering under the force. Schwartz whirls around, his eyes widening in shock and fear as he takes in my hulking frame filling the doorway.
"Avros," he stammers, backing away. "This isn't what it looks like."
I don't give him a chance to finish explaining himself. My fist connects with his jaw, the satisfying crunch of bone reverberating through my knuckles. Schwartz stumbles, but I don't let up. I grab him by the lapels of his expensive suit, slamming him against the wall.
"You dare come after what's mine?" I snarl, punctuating each word with another blow. "You dare threaten my woman? The mother of my child?"
