47. Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Six
Luca
“Wyatt Jameson. Spent two years at a junior college before transferring to Yale, where you caught the eye of some pretty high-ups. That is, until you put your nose where it didn’t belong, pissing them off,” I say, stepping into the cell with Romelo following closely behind.
Wyatt looks up at me, his features shifting into anger.
“Fuck you, Pasquino,” he says.
I smile, holding Romelo back as he takes a threatening step forward.
“So you do know who I am. I knew when Elise told you her full name, you weren’t some random man spending his days in a cabin in the middle of nowhere,” I say.
“What do you want? You here to kill me? After I saved her life?” he asks.
I shake my head.
“Quite the opposite. I’m here to offer you a new one,” I say. He looks at me in confusion, but I can tell that I have his attention.
“I know that you were on the chopping block. And not in the hypothetical way. You got a little too interested in Sokolov’s dealings without realizing your boss was in his back pocket,” I laugh.
Wyatt narrows his gaze, but doesn’t respond.
“I know that if I release you, not only will you and your poor dog be shot down in the street, but if Ivan Sokolov gets his hands on you first, you’ll wish they had,” I say.
“You thought that by catching one of his constituents, you could clear your name and bring glory to your cabinet. Well, I’m here to give you a dose of reality. There is no scenario where someone like you takes out anyone that is a part of my world,” I say.
Silence fills the room.
“So what do you want?” he asks. His tone signifies that he has resigned himself to death. But that would be a waste. And an insult after he saved Elise’s life.
“I want you to work for me,” I say.
He looks at me in confusion.
“Why would I ever—”
Romelo steps forward, aiming his gun right at his head, stopping him midsentence.
“I owe you a life. You saved Elise. And the only way I will save yours is by offering you this. Either work for me, or die. And my wife seemed to be really fond of you and your pet. So I would hate to have to explain to her what happened to you,” I say.
Wyatt shifts his attention between me and Romelo more than once, obviously weighing his options. But he doesn’t have much. He may be a Boy Scout, but he is also all about self-preservation. His track record proves it. And while he would have to earn my trust, something tells me Elise’s existence alone would snare his loyalty.
“Fine,” he says.
“Good. I’m sure Nicolai will be happy to hear he can give the dog back,” I say.
Romelo lowers his weapon after a moment, and I step forward, dropping the folder filled with information on Agent Jeffries in front of him.
“Now, tell me everything that went down to get you thrown out.”