Chapter 241 243

Chapter 241 243
CLARA

My head fucking hurts.

I’m starting to understand why Demyen’s so foul-mouthed half the time. If I was constantly getting beat up and injured like this, I’d be the exact same way.

Bright lights suddenly fill my eyes and do nothing to help the throbbing migraine pounding against my skull. The only reprieve is Martin’s dark shadow when he steps in front of them.

Then again, I think I prefer being blinded.

“Up and at ‘em, sweetheart.” He reaches down and yanks me up by a fistful of my hair, pulling me out of the trunk of his squad car.

I’m cuffed, disoriented, and quickly losing my patience.

And then panic lances through me. Willow. It’s already sunset and we’re apparently at some sort of container truck depot, far away from the city limits and Willow’s school.

I was supposed to pick her up.

I quickly remind myself to take inventory before I spiral into a state of panic I won’t be able to pull myself out of. Her school knows we have “special circumstances” regarding Martin, after that one kidnapping attempt. Demyen increased security after the shooting. And Bambi⁠—

Bambi. She’s on the emergency contact list. So is Pavel and Demyen. Any one of them would have picked her up by now and figured out something’s wrong.

Tears sting my eyes; I’ll blame them on my injuries. In truth, I’m so immensely relieved to know without a doubt that no matter what happens to me, Willow is safe with her new family.

I can suffer…

As long as she doesn’t.

“Come on,” Martin grumbles, dragging me beside him to a small building at the edge of the depot. “I don’t have all fucking night.”

He shoves me through a group of men who I think might be Yakuza. If so…

Oh, Martin. You absolute idiot.

Sure enough, Raizo Watanabe is sitting behind the main desk, counting stacks of cash and listening to opera music. A woman in nothing but a satin slip and kitten heels massages his neck and shoulders while another one quickly rises from beneath the desk and wipes her mouth.

I quickly look away. I don’t need new memories replacing the already old and terrible ones.

“Who the fuck let you in here?” Raizo snaps at Martin.

“She did.” He finally lets go of my hair, but only to shove me forward onto my hands and knees.

Raizo leans over the desk to peer at me. His brow hits his hairline with casual surprise.

And then he grins.

I hate that fucking grin.

“Well done, Detective. Although I am confused. I distinctly remember selling her to… to… ah, right. Oleg Zakrevsky.”

“Zakrevsky’s dead,” Martin grumbles. “Word just came in through informants. Figured you’d want her back.”

The air leaves my lungs and for a moment, I can’t breathe.

Oleg. They’re talking about Oleg.

Now, I’m breathless for a whole new reason.

Oleg is dead?

Raizo seems to consider this for a moment. “Can’t say I’m surprised. I will say, however, that I am surprised you are the one bringing her to me. Last I heard, you were telling everyone who’d listen that she’s your wife. So tell me, Detective Patterson, what is a cop doing here handing me his wife?”

“Selling,” Martin quickly corrects. “I’m selling you this ungrateful bitch because I’m tired of putting up with her shit. I’ll even look into a deal with you just to get her properly trained.”

Oh, Martin. You stupid, stupid man.

Raizo leans back in his seat and dismisses his slaves with an impatient flick of his hand. When he fixes his gaze on me, I feel my skin crawl and my gut churn. He gestures for me to approach him, and that nausea only grows.

He swiftly pulls me onto his lap once I’m close enough, then looks at Martin like he’s some mouse the cat is about to enjoy playing with.

“Being a bad girl, are we?” Raizo gently strokes my hair over one shoulder. “We can’t have that.”

“She manipulated me!” Martin spits. “She got me to turn Greg in and now, they’re investigating me, too! I’m gonna lose everything!”

“Only a fool can be manipulated. That’s not her fault.”

I stifle a snort. This is not the time to laugh, or side with despicable assholes.

But Martin’s face? I’m loving it.

“But I guess you can’t be blamed too much. I imagine her pussy is beyond addictive.”

At this, Martin glowers. “I wouldn’t fucking know. The bitch keeps holding out on me.”

If Raizo looked surprised before, he’s downright shocked now. “Really? This whole time?”

“Yeah? What’s it to you?”

The Yakuza lord shrugs and casually rubs his hand over my stomach. “To me? Not much. Just a minor inconvenience that we’ll take care of when the time comes. To you? I can’t imagine what it’s like seeing your so-called wife pregnant with another man’s baby.”

I freeze.

So does Martin.

Raizo drops his hand to my thigh and continues to rub me in all the wrong ways, both literally and figuratively. He’s playing some fucked-up game and enjoying every moment of our reactions.

“So it sounds like you’re in quite a mess,” he calmly continues, no longer looking at Martin even though the conversation is definitely for him. He’s too busy touching my hair, stroking my back. “Since you’ve brought my sweet Clara back to me, and with bonus merchandise, I have no problems expressing my gratitude. Tell me, Martin, how can I help?”

Martin stammers for a second, then shakes his head. “I, uh…” He watches Raizo caress my stomach again, his mouth hanging open. Then he gives himself another shake and looks away. “I need to get out of here. Out of the country. I don’t care where-the-fuck-ever—just help me get out before they come for me.”

Raizo snorts. “That’s cowardice.”

“No, that’s fucking survival. I don’t want to find out what they do to dirty cops in prison.”

“Fair enough,” Raizo chuckles. “I can’t say I blame you. Consider it done.”

Martin looks surprised. “What? Really?”

“As long as you leave my fucking office right now. Wait outside for instructions. We’ll get you on our next shipment out.”

The men stare at each other, Martin in actual shock that his request was granted, and Raizo with no small amount of barely-concealed impatience. Finally, Martin nods, awkwardly bows a little, and ducks out of the office.

Raizo pulls me closer and nuzzles my neck. “You have been such a naughty girl, haven’t you?” He purrs in my ear. “I’m so tempted to keep you here with me. Show you what it’s like to be my special prize.”

Something clicks inside my head. Something from long ago, back when I was a little girl.

Back when I knew Raizo as a completely different man.