Page 90 of Dark Soul

None of his men replied, but Dark knew they wouldn’t interfere.

Alexia still hadn’t moved a muscle. Every so often, her body swayed in the wind. It seemed it was all she could do to stay standing.

She’s been drugged.

“Now let’s get to business,” Lemercier said. His long arm tightened imperceptibly against the boy’s neck. “You know what I want.”

“Please don’t hurt him,” Kvyat begged. “It’s here. What you want is here. Do you have my money?”

Lemercier laughed, then. “I thought all you wanted was your son.”

Kvyat went red in the face. The veins on his nose bulged.

“Relax, Kvyat, I have your money. Our common friends don’t lack money.”

“So why take my son?” Kvyat stammered.

“I needed to be sure you wouldn’t double-cross me. It’s not a good idea to double-cross me, Kvyat.”

“If you hurt my son, I will kill you,” Kvyat said, baring his teeth like a cornered animal.

“You really think a man like you can stop me?” Lemercier asked, laughing. “I don’t think you can. I’ve always been a ghost.”

Nikolai cried out, then. The boy seemed to be waking up, slowly becoming more aware of his surroundings.

Whatever he’s given him, it’s starting to wear off.

“Throw the briefcase my way, and I’ll release your son,” Lemercier said coldly. “Your money’s in his coat pockets, so make sure you don’t put it in the laundry.” He smiled, showing his bright straight teeth, as if pleased with his little joke.

Dark readied himself. As soon as the exchange happened, Lemercier would leave with Alexia.

And if that happened, Dark knew he’d never see her again.

“Fuck. He’s sending Alexia to pick up the briefcase,” Ash said.

Alexia lurched unsteadily to where Kvyat had thrown the briefcase.

“It’s all there,” Kvyat said. “Release my son.”

“Give her the code so she can open it,” Lemercier ordered, still holding on to the boy. A gun had appeared in one of his hands and was currently held tight against the boy’s back. Nikolai cried out in fear and pain. Dark’s heart clenched, but he forced that concern into the back of his mind.

Alexia comes first.

Alexia would always come first for him, and he’d pay the price for that decision in hell, if that’s where it led him.

Her hands were unsteady as she fumbled with the briefcase’s code, but finally it was open. She stared uncomprehendingly at the contents.

“Show me,” Lemercier ordered her. She lifted the briefcase so he could see. Whatever it was, Lemercier seemed satisfied. He asked her to close it and throw it at him, which Alexia did, her expression still listless. Lemercier leaned down, still grabbing on to the boy, and picked up the briefcase.

His smile brightened.

“Great doing business with you.” He pushed the boy towards Kvyat, who rushed forward to catch his son. “Unfortunately, our common friends have lost their faith in you,” the Frenchman added.

Shit.

“I’ll grab Lemercier,” Dark said.

“I’ll get Kvyat,” Ash replied.