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Subject identified as a close associate to Kir Nikolayev, raised within Lindqvist family. Potential asset due to proximity to Nikolayev. Recommend utilizing emotional connection to gainaccess to Nikolayev’s personal dealings. Close bond between subject and target could prove invaluable in gathering intelligence and leveraging control over Nikolayev.
The wordspotential, asset,andutilize emotional connectionburn into my brain.
I’m nothing more than a pawn.
Every moment I’ve spent with Mal—everything we’ve shared—has been nothing more than cold, calculated tactics.
Lies.
A thousand horrible thoughts flood my mind at once, twisting and curdling inside my chest, filling me with dread. Is this what I’ve been to him? Every touch, every kiss, every whispered, whimpered, gasp just a way for him to get closer toKir?
I feel sick.
The bile rises in my throat, but I’m unable to stop staring at the screen.
There are legitsurveillance photos—blurry images of me taken in various places over the last few months. Outside Kir’s mansion, at that restaurant in Tokyo, even a shot of me leaving a bar with Damian. There’s a red circle drawn around me in each one, highlighting me as the target.
There’s a final line in bold that seals it, making my skin crawl.
Freya Lindqvist may be the key to unraveling Kir Nikolayev’s operation. Recommend full investigation into familial ties.
I can’t fucking breathe.
I slam the laptop shut, my fingers trembling, nausea rolling over me in waves.
“Freya…”
I whirl at the sound of his voice, instantly scrambling off the couch. Mal’s standing in the doorway, his expression dark and lined.
“That isn’t?—”
“What it looks like?!” I scream. “Then whatis it, Mal?!”
“Freya…” His voice is low, almost pleading. “Let me?—”
“WHAT. FUCKING. IS. THIS. MAL!!” I scream again, my heart breaking as I stare at him. My vision blurs with tears. It feels like poison is roaring through my veins, spreading pestilence to every single corner of my being.
He hesitates for a second. “I was looking into theories, that’s all,” Mal says quietly, his voice tight with restraint. “I needed to know the truth about Kir. About your family?—”
“Aboutmyfamily?!” I gape at him, my voice laced with disbelief. “You seriously believe all of this?!”
Mal looks away, his jaw tight. “Notallof it.”
“You really think Kir had something to do with your family’s deaths.”
“I…might.”
The room spins, until I feel like I’m going to collapse under the weight of everything. “Isthatwhy you got close to me?!” I choke, my voice trembling. “Was this all just some way to get to fuckingKir?”
“No,” he growls quickly. “No, Freya, I wasn’t?—”
“You were!” I scream, my chest heaving. “You’ve been watching me and investigating me my entire life!Plottingagainst me and my fucking family!”
Mal’s face contorts with frustration, struggling for words. “Freya, you have to understand?—”
“Itrustedyou!” My voice breaks, the tears finally spilling over. I wipe them away angrily, hating that he’s seeing me weak and vulnerable like this. “Was any of thisreal,Mal?! Or was I just part of your plan?”
“Freya,listen to me,” Mal says, his voice raw with emotion. He takes a step closer, reaching out for me. “You have to believe me.”
