Love Thy Enemy (Red Stone Security #13)(48)

Dominique didn’t want to bother Viktor but she didn’t think he’d mind. And she really wanted to get to know Lucy since she’d be staying here too. Not to mention Lucy obviously knew the brothers well and Dominique wasn’t above asking questions about Viktor. She wanted to know everything about him.

When she reached the hallway that led to Viktor’s office she smiled when she saw his driver, Kir, headed her way. He’d been one of the only security people who was actually friendly to her. Mostly Viktor’s guys seemed to walk around with perma-frowns.

“Hey, is Viktor—” Her words died when she saw the gun in his hand. It had a silencer on it and was pointed directly at her.

Everything around her funneled out as she stared down the barrel of the weapon. Before she could think about moving, he was next to her, grabbing her elbow in an unforgiving grip.

“You’re coming with me,” he said quietly, almost a whisper, his voice hard. “You scream and I’ll shoot you in the stomach. It’s a bad way to die.” He said it as if it was something he knew to be certain.

On instinct she yanked against his hold but he shoved her up against the wall, one hand wrapped around her throat as he pressed the muzzle of the gun to her temple.

“I’ll smoke you right here. Nod if you believe me.” His eyes were cold, nothing like the friendly man from the last couple days.

She nodded, her throat tight with fear. What if Lucy came back inside and this maniac decided to shoot her?

“You’re going to come with me on a short drive. If you’re a good girl, you won’t get hurt. But if you fight me, I’ll just kill you and cut my losses. You gonna fight me?” He leaned closer, his breath hot against her face.

Ice slithered through her veins, making her feel numb and sluggish. Her heart was a drumbeat in her ears as she shook her head. She wouldn’t fight him. At least not this very instant. It would be suicide to go up against a man like this. She might not know much about him but he had a gun he wasn’t afraid to use and he was most definitely a lot stronger than her.

“Good. Keep your mouth shut and do what I say.” He yanked her away from the wall and dragged her down the rest of the hallway.

Her bare feet were silent against the wooden floor, as were his shoes. All she wanted to do was scream for help, to scream the entire house down. But she’d seen the truth in his eyes—Kir would have no problem ending her life. He wouldn’t lose a second of sleep over her death. And what if he shot at Viktor…or Lucy? What if an unarmed person came running to her aid and got caught in the crossfire? She couldn’t have that on her conscience.

Looking over his shoulder only once, he paused at the door at the end of the hallway. His grip still tight on her arm he opened the door into a large garage. A car, an SUV, a motorcycle and a vintage truck were parked side by side.

Fear hollowed out her chest, making it hard to breathe as he dragged her inside the garage, shutting the door behind them with a resounding click.

“You are going to be the perfect bargaining chip,” he muttered more to himself than her.

Instinct told her to fight him, to try to run. She’d always been taught never to get into a vehicle with someone who meant to do her harm. But if she didn’t go, she’d be dead for certain. There was nowhere she could run now, no way to overpower him. She’d just have to go along with him and pray there was an opening for escape.

He palmed a set of keys and pressed the key fob. The SUV lights flashed once, a quiet beep indicating it had unlocked.

“You’re driving,” he ordered, training his gun on her as he hurried her to the driver’s seat. “You try anything stupid, I’ll shoot your knee first. Now get in.” He yanked the door open for her, his weapon trained on her the entire time.

She practically collapsed on the front seat, her legs weak as he slid into the passenger side. He opened the garage with the little remote hooked to the visor.

“Start the vehicle and slowly steer out,” he ordered. She risked a glance at him as the door opened. His gun was still in his hand and pointed at her.

Just freaking great.

She swallowed hard and did as he said. The sun was blinding when she first pulled out of the garage

“Fuck,” he growled.

She hit the brakes and froze, unsure what she’d done. Then she saw a man wearing dark pants, a casual polo shirt and a shoulder holster with two guns walking toward them.

“No one was supposed to be here during the shift change,” Kir muttered. “Don’t say a f*cking word.” Her window started to roll down, Kir controlling it from the middle console as the man approached the driver’s side. She realized Kir meant to talk to him.

He couldn’t actually think this guy would believe she was leaving dressed like this. Or that Viktor would let her go? No, Kir meant to shoot him. He raised his weapon and on instinct she floored it, the tires squealing as they shot down the driveway.

“Bitch!” He slammed his fist against the dash but surprisingly didn’t strike or shoot her. She’d been waiting for the blow. “Don’t slow down,” he ordered as they zoomed toward the gate. A man stepped out, weapon drawn, but he aimed at the tires.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

The vehicle swerved as the tire blew but she kept her grip on the wheel. The SUV jerked again wildly as she floored it. God, she hadn’t even strapped in.