CHAPTER ONE
I wake up with a pounding headache and zip ties around my wrists.
I’m in what looks like a warehouse—concrete floors, high ceilings, dim lights. There’s a small cot in the corner and a bucket. That’s it.
I try to stand but my head swims and I nearly fall. I sit back down on the cot and try to gather my thoughts.
How long was I out for? Where’s Hunter? Where’s Luke?
I hear footsteps approaching, then a door creaks open.
A man walks in. He’s tall and muscular, with a shaved head and cold eyes.
“You’re awake,” he observes.
“Where am I?” I demand. “Where’s Hunter?”
“Hunter’s fine,” the man says. “For now. As long as he cooperates.”
“What do you want?” I ask.
“John wants his Bitcoin,” the man says. “And you’re going to help us get it.”
“I don’t know anything about Bitcoin,” I say.
“Maybe not,” he says. “But Hunter cares about you. A lot, from what we’ve seen. So you’re our leverage.”
My blood runs cold. “You’re going to use me to get to Hunter.”
“Smart girl,” he says with a cruel smile.
“He won’t give it to you,” I say. “He knows that the moment he does, you’ll kill us both.”
“Probably,” the man agrees. “But he’ll still try to save you. Men are stupid like that when they’re in love.”
He turns to leave.
“Wait,” I call out. “At least tell me your name.”
He pauses at the door. “Dimitri,” he says. “Not that it matters.”
The door slams shut and I hear a lock engage.
I’m all alone.