Chapter 10 - Sophia
My feet hit the ground harder than necessary as I ran up the street. Turning the corner, I could see my office building looming in the distance. Looking back, I was thankful that there was no sight of Kolya.
This is insane. I should be going to the cops.
Instead of filling a kidnapping charge, I am running to Melody.
Yet, Kolya’s words kept repeating in my head like a broken record.
“Even the cops are in our pockets!” If that’s true, how can I trust anyone?
Going to them is begging to be found or worse.
I didn’t know what else to do. I pushed through the front doors, entering the massive white lobby.
Striding past the security desk, I headed for the elevators.
Stopping before the closed doors, I felt the blood drain from my face as a deadly coldness ran through me.
“Shit,” I mumbled. My ID is at home. Without it, I couldn’t access the elevators.
Pivoting, I returned to the security desk. Calming my tone, I tried to mask my urgency as I spoke. “I…, uh, I forgot my badge at home. Could one of you open the elevator for me?”
The two guards glanced at each other. One of them had to be new, as I had never seen him before. The other one, the older man, smiled at me as he rose. “Morning, Miss Camden. I haven’t seen you for a while. Is everything okay?”
This was all I needed: a nosy guard. “I’m good, thanks, just took a short break,” I replied, smiling softly. I couldn’t let on that I was trying to run from someone.
Coming around to my side, he nodded before turning to the elevators. “Sure, thing, I’ll scan you in,” he mumbled as he walked.
I was practically bouncing up and down with anxiety.
The doors opened, and I rushed past him so quickly that I almost toppled him over.
“Sorry, I’m late,” I huffed as the doors closed.
My veins pulsed as I walked back and forth the length of the elevator.
Kolya could find me any time. I needed to get to Melody quickly.
Stepping off the elevator, it felt like I was about to wet myself. I sprinted towards Melody’s office. Blowing past her secretary without a glance, I barged in. Facing the door, I leaned against it as I locked it. I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep, shaky breath before facing her.
Melody looked relieved to see me. In all my years with her, I had never taken so much as a day off. I was sure she must have been worried. Before she could move or open her mouth, I started rambling. “Melody, we have to talk!”
My tone was slightly squeaky, and I could feel the tears welling up behind my eyes.
Melody rose from her table, waving me closer.
“Sit, tell me what happened. What’s going on?
I’ve called your cell and home.” Her tone was much calmer than I had anticipated.
She looked concerned, but her tone did not indicate it. “I had almost called the cops.”
Moving closer, I sank into the chair before her desk. She sat back down, sliding the paperwork before her out of the way before brushing the strand of blond hair out of her view. Our eyes locked, and I felt sure she could read the panic on my face. It felt like I was radiating it.
“So, tell me what happened?” She said, lacing her fingers together. The bright red nail color caught the light and seemed to sparkle. Red has never been my color, but it suited her. She was a bloodsucker, always out for revenge in court. Mercy wasn’t a word in her vocabulary.
“I thought it was odd for you to take leave by sending a text. Then I called and couldn’t get hold of you. And I know how you feel about our cases, especially important ones like the one we are doing.” She added casually.
“I was kidnapped,” I relayed in a rushed tone, rubbing my temples.
Her sharp chin lifted into the air. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at me. “Kidnapped?” She asked, sounding truly surprised. She pressed the speaker button on her phone. “Bring us two teas, please,” she told the receptionist.
The young girl at the desk outside replied with a sharp yes before the line went dead.
I watched as Melody got up and walked past me to unlock the door.
Once she sat back down, I informed her of the week's events.
“Yes, kidnapped. Monday morning, when I arrived, I was taken. A man came up behind me, covered my face with a chemical-soaked cloth, and took me.”
I felt my chest tighten as I spoke. Melody’s brows knit together as she listened. “I woke up in what looked like an abandoned church or something. Guards stood around the room, and a strange man was sitting at a table,” I continued.
Hearing the door open behind me, I jumped up as a small yelp escaped my mouth. “Calm down, it’s just our tea,” Melody said. “You’re safe now.” She smiled softly as the receptionist came in and placed the tray down on the corner of her desk.
“It’s just…” I started mumbling as the receptionist left.
Melody raised a hand, showing me to wait. Once the door closed again, she spoke in a soft tone. “I know, you seem and look nervous. But take a deep breath and have some tea before telling me more.”
With a shaky hand, I picked up the cup, took a sip, and placed it back down.
After breathing in slowly, I continued. “This man forced me to sign a marriage license. Once that was done, he took me to his mansion, where he locked me in a room for days. I tried to escape, but the gates were too high. I got injured….”
“Injured?” Melody interrupted. “Do you know who this man is?”
“Yes, it was just my ankle, but it’s fine now.” A bitter laugh slipped out as I gave her his name. “Kolya,” Just speaking his name filled my mouth with a bitter taste suddenly.” “He claims you filed eight lawsuits against him using my name.”
Melody breathed in sharply. “You know I’ll never do that,” she stated firmly. “It’s against the law.” Her eyes narrowed as she sat back. “But, you say his name is Kolya, yes,” she added. “I am building a case against him.”
Melody turned her chair around and stared out the window. I couldn’t believe she knew who he was and was building a case without me knowing. Before I could properly form a thought, she swung back around. “Sophia, I need you to do something for me,” she said.
I didn’t like the tone of her voice. It seemed higher than normal, and there was a thin smile spreading across her lips. “I need you to stay with Kolya. Get as much information on him and his business deals as possible.”
Melody rubbed her chin before placing a finger over her lips.
I felt a twisting sensation in my stomach and didn’t like where this was heading.
“Maybe you can even sit in on some of his deals. That would be amazing,” she added.
“I know this will be hard. But it may be the best thing to come our way.”
“No,” I protested. “I’m not a criminal, and I refuse to get involved in such things.”
“You’d be cleared of any and all wrongdoing, and…” Melody opened her drawer, retrieved a small cellphone, then smiled at me as she slid it across the desk. “If you pull this off, you’ll be promoted. You can work independently, and maybe even become my equal. How does that sound?”
A promotion? Working independently, becoming her equal? My mind spun as all the possibilities popped up. I’ve been begging her for the last year to let me handle my own clients. She’s always denied me, spouting that my skill was better suited under her control.
Before I could reply, she continued. “But only if you succeed.” It sounded more like a warning than anything else. “Your name will still be cleared, but the promotion only applies if you get me evidence of his dirty work. The illegal stuff.”
“I don’t know,” I managed to get out before she stood abruptly.
“I have a meeting, but get back to me soon,” Melody said, tapping her watch. “I’m truly sorry this happened, but think of all the good you can do.”
I sat for a moment, dumbfounded as she moved around me and left. Getting up, I felt like picking up the teacup and throwing it at the door. But I didn’t. Instead, I took a long breath and left.
Why does she want me to be a spy? If Kolya finds out, he’d surely kill me.
This isn’t just my work on the line here.
It’s my life. Running to my office, I grabbed my spare keys from my desk before heading down.
Pushing through the glass doors, I felt the cool air coming in from the street.
I hit my face like a soft slap. Shaking my head, I tried to clear my mind.
My heels clicked against the pavement as I moved to the parking area. They were loud, too loud, too sharp. It felt like they were announcing my presence to the world. Wrapping my arms around me, I rubbed vigorously. Every step felt heavy. I lifted my face as I tried to carry myself with purpose.
Spy on Kolya! The words replayed in my head like a broken record.
The syllables are grinding against my nerves.
Melody made it sound so simple. Sit on his business, watch, listen, and report.
But she’s never been face-to-face with him.
She hasn’t looked into his eyes, seen what I have.
She’s never been property of someone like him.
The look in his eyes when he glances your way, and he knows he possesses you. Shaking, I tried to forget what it felt like. My skin crawled as if a million insects had invaded it. Unlocking my car, I stood for a moment looking at my reflection in the window.
The promotion she promised was dangling in front of me like bait.
But it’s not just my career I’m gambling with.
It’s my life! One wrong look, one misplaced word, and Kolya will know.
He’ll know I’m not just the quiet girl stuck in the shadows.
Hadn’t anyone noticed my car here all this time?
There wasn’t time to dwell on that. What Melody just asked was the bigger issue now.
He’ll know I’m the traitor he didn’t see coming to stab him in the back and then turn the knife. And when he realizes it, he won’t hesitate to turn the knife back and stab me. I got into my car and started her up. Heading home, I felt exposed and nervous.
The city hummed around me. Cars rushed by me, and people stood visiting on the streets.
It felt like every glance was directed at me, as if Kolya’s eyes were all over me.
My stomach turned and twisted. A cold sweat prickled my hair on the back of my neck.
I could hear Meoldy’s voice in my head, sharp, decisive, certain about what had to be done.
Pulling into my driveway, I sat for a moment, breathing slowly. Certainty won’t keep bullets out of my chest. Still… part of me wonders if I can do it. If I can get close enough, be smart enough, and face the dangers of beating Kolya at his own game.
The thought both terrified me and lit something up inside me. I was still gripping the burner phone Melody had given me, barely aware of it. Looking at my hand, I noticed my knuckles had turned white. Easing my grip, I dialed my brother. I wanted to hear his voice. It always soothes me a little.
It rang a couple of times before the recorded message came on. “Hi, I can’t come to the phone right now, but leave a message and I’ll hit you back.” Grinning, I slipped it into my bra before getting out.
“This isn’t a job anymore, it’s survival,” I mumbled as I headed for my door.
Before I could reach the steps, I heard the footsteps.
They were closing in quickly. Spinning around, I saw an unfamiliar man charging at me.
His face twisted with intent. My body jolted into motion as adrenaline flooded my veins.
My shoes slapped the steps as I sprinted to the door. The air in my lungs is a raging fire.
His footsteps are now as loud as thunder behind me, growing louder rapidly.
Don’t look back, get inside, I told myself.
Stopping at the door with my keys in hand, I turned sharply, too sharply.
My feet tangled. I braced for the impact of the wooden deck.
But instead of falling to the floor, a searing pain exploded across my scalp.
Glancing up, I saw the man had grabbed me by the hair, preventing the fall as he yanked me up. My mouth opened as I screamed, but nothing came out as his big hand clamped over my mouth.
“Shh,” he whispered into my ear as he pulled me close. His breath was warm and foul. The sound of his voice slithered over my skin. I thrashed violently, my nails digging into his arm, my heels slamming into his shins, but his grip only tightened.
I stopped as the air around us filled with a loud cracking sound. Gunfire? The sound rips through the air, and I feel the man jerking. Something warm splashes against my back. His grip loosens as his weight comes crashing down on me.
As we go down to the floor, I feel a cold sweat on my face.
Then the weight lightens, and I slowly turn my head.
There, towering over us, stood Kolya. Gun in one hand and the other stretched out to me.
His eyes were blazing with fury. “We need to go, now,” he spat. His voice left no room for arguing.
As he pulls me to my feet, my gaze falls on the stranger. Dead because of me, my mind questions. Accessory to murder? That’s up to fifteen years in prison. Fifteen years! The thought slammed into me like a demolition ball. I felt the wind leave my lungs, and I started heaving.
“Sophia!” Kolya barked.
My head snapped up. I looked at him but couldn’t focus. The world around me was a big blur. My legs were trembling.
“Now, come on, move!” He shouted.
I was frozen in place. Time had come to a stop. “Yes…, we should go,” I managed to get out in an unsteady voice. My gaze swiftly fell back to the corpse. Bile rose in my throat, and I swallowed hard. If Melody’s promise to clear my name falls through, this will be my future! A cell and not a desk.
Kolya grabbed my hand, pulling me back from the gloomy thoughts invading my mind. “Let’s move,” he breathed out loudly. He pulled me closer, wrapping one arm around me, before he started moving towards the SUV parked just down the block.
My feet moved. I glanced back, feeling my mind staying behind, locked on the image of the lifeless body. What if Kolya hadn’t been there? What would have happened if the man had captured me? Questions flooded my mind quicker than I could process.
As he pushed me into the car and got in, I felt as lifeless as the dead man lying there.