CHAPTER FOUR
Hours pass. Or maybe it’s days—it’s hard to tell in this windowless room.
Eventually, Dimitri comes back with food. He also brings another man with him—younger, with sandy blond hair and nervous energy.
“This is Alexander,” Dimitri says. “He’s going to help me keep an eye on you.”
Alexander nods at me awkwardly.
“Hi,” I say.
“Uh, hi,” he says.
Dimitri rolls his eyes. “She’s a prisoner, not your girlfriend. Stop being weird.”
“I’m not being weird,” Alexander protests.
“Yes you are,” Dimitri says. He turns to me. “Eat. And don’t try anything stupid.”
He leaves, but Alexander stays.
“So,” I say. “How long have you been working for John?”
“A few months,” Alexander says.
“And how’s that going for you?” I ask.
He shrugs. “It pays the bills.”
“Does it, though?” I ask. “Or does John just promise to pay you and then find reasons not to?”
Alexander shifts uncomfortably. “How did you—”
“Lucky guess,” I say. “Men like John are all the same. They use people and then discard them when they’re no longer useful.”
“He promised me ten thousand dollars for this job,” Alexander says quietly.
“And have you gotten any of it yet?” I ask.
He shakes his head.
“You won’t,” I say. “Because men like John don’t keep their promises. Especially to people they see as expendable.”
“I’m not expendable,” Alexander says, but he doesn’t sound convinced.
“Then prove it,” I say. “Help me get out of here. I promise Hunter will pay you way more than ten thousand if you help me.”
Alexander looks torn. “I... I can’t.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“Because Dimitri would kill me,” he says.
“Dimitri’s not as tough as he acts,” I say. “He’s just as trapped as you are.”
“That’s not true,” Alexander says, but again, he doesn’t sound sure.
Before I can press further, Dimitri returns.
“Time’s up,” he says to Alexander. “Go take your shift outside.”
Alexander leaves, and Dimitri looks at me suspiciously.
“What were you two talking about?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I say innocently.
“Bullshit,” he says. “You were trying to turn him, weren’t you?”
I don’t answer.
“It won’t work,” Dimitri says. “Alexander talks a big game, but he’s too scared to actually do anything.”
“Are you sure about that?” I ask.
“Positive,” he says.
But I can tell he’s not. And that gives me an idea.