“I know, not the way I would’ve wanted to find out either.” Sharp closes the video and tucks his phone away, reclining in his chair like he’s just done a day’s worth of the good cop routine.
I guess it’s time for the bad cop to step in.
Cardona leans forward. “The terms of our agreement didn’t include your daughter sleeping with the enemy, Kiril.”
I bow my head and just listen. Though I’ve been caught, it’s still best not to react.
“Jonas getting whacked is fan-fucking-tastic news,” Cardona says with a chuckle. “But that doesn’t meanshitwith your daughter betraying my trust.”
A knot forms in my stomach. I swallow quietly, trying not to betray my racing heart. Any sign of apprehension could set these guys off. And that’s the last thing I need right now.
“So, what I need you to do is to be a good daddy and bring her in,” Cardona says. “Understand?”
“Wish I could.” I breathe deeply. “But she ran away a few days ago.”
“Why’s that?”
I shake my head. “Hell if I know.”
A lie, yes. But ambiguous enough that he won’t have an excuse to fuck me up right here and now.
Without missing a beat, he turns to Sharp. “Put a missing person’s report with the NYPD for Zoya Malinskaya. Have it sent to our media friends. Make it as high profile as possible. This takes priority, understand?”
Sharp nods as he taps the keys on his phone rapidly. “Yes, Don Cardona.”
“Now get the fuck out. I got something private to talk about with daddy dearest.”
Sharp stands and leaves, taking a few men with him. His booming laughter rings from outside, a dull roar that cuts off with the distinctslapof a car door shutting. A police siren chirps twice. The sound of rubber screeching against pavement rises up and fades. And then he’s gone, leaving me and Cardona in silence.
There’s nothing worse than the fierce fury flaring from across the table from Cardona. “Kiril, look at me. Look at my face.” He leans forward, his expression stern. “Do I look like a fucking idiot to you?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“So why do you take me for one?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Enough!” He slams the table with a meaty palm. “There’s only one reason that your whore of a daughter took off running like that! She got knocked up by that stupid fuck, and she knows I’m going to have a lot to say about that baby of hers.”
My shoulders tense as I think about all the things he might say—or do.
“But I’m not a completely unreasonable man, Kiril,” he says while leaning back. He shakes his tie twice and shrugs his shoulders. “I’m a generous man when the circumstances are right. So, I’m going to be generous with you.”
I reach for the vodka and sip it, allowing the liquid to soothe me. Something tells me I’m going to need it for what he’s about to say.
“You have two choices: either you bring her in or Sharp does.”
I fight to keep my voice even. “What happens after?”
“That depends entirely on who brings her to me first.” He smirks. “If you bring her to me, then I’ll be merciful. You get to watch me fuck your precious little girl.” He chuckles. “But she’ll at least get to live.”
I swallow hard. “And if Sharp brings her in?
“Well…” He clears his throat. “If I have to ask the NYPD to do the hard work, then I think it’s only fair that your little girl learns what it’s like to be fucked by the long dick of the law.”
Sweat breaks out on the back of my neck.
“And it won’t just be Sharp. I’ll toss that bitch to my boys, and they’ll take turns until she’s all used up,” he says. “Then I’ll put one bullet between her pretty blue eyes.” His sinister grin widens. “And another one in her hot little cunt. All while you watch.”