CHAPTER 69: WHEN THINGS BREAK
"You think I don’t know when someone is lying to me?"
Despite its smoothness, Victor's voice had a hint of harshness. A sword concealed in silk.
I maintained a neutral expression.
Saying, "I did what you asked,"
He studied me, leaning back in his chair. "Did you?"
I could feel the strain coil in my gut as a gradual grin appeared on his face.
He went on, tapping a finger on the table between them, "Because, Elena" "I have a problem." I have
no faith in you.
A Risky Game
It was chilly in the room.
The way Victor observed me, looking for cracks, was more telling than the air. He had little tolerance
for ambiguity and wasn't a guy who enjoyed being played.
Saying, "You gave me an order," "I carried it out."
"Did you?"
He reached inside his desk and took something out.
A bullet shell covered with blood.
My heartbeat quickened.
"I sent my men to confirm Rylan’s death," he remarked in a tone that may have been considered lazy.
"They discovered blood. A battle. There was a missing corpse.
I made myself take steady breaths. "Maybe the body was taken."
"Maybe," thought Victor. "Or maybe he’s still breathing."
He waited for me to speak, letting the stillness linger.
I didn't.
Because I was certain that he would murder me if I flinched or even raised the slightest question in my
mind.
A Loyalty Test
"You’ve been loyal to me, haven’t you, Telsa?"
I gave a nod. "I have."
"Then prove it."
A rifle was passed over the table by him.
I remained still.
Adding, "There’s someone I need to be gone," "Tonight. You won't think twice if you're as loyal as you say
you are.
I felt the weight of the rifle as I lifted it.
I said, "Who?"
Victor grinned. "Jeo."
The Unthinkable Option
I became motionless.
The space seemed more intimate.
Victor said, "He's been questioning me." "Looking around. I'm anxious about it.
He looked at me.
"I don’t like being nervous."
I gripped the rifle tighter.
I added, "I thought Jeo was useful to you," with caution.
"He was," acknowledged Victor. "Until he wasn’t."
I slowed the pace of my pulse.
It was a test.
I needed to pass it.
Could I, though?
The Configuration
In the compound's lowest levels, I discovered Jeo.
When I walked in, he narrowed his eyes and glanced up. "What did he say?"
I took a swallow.
"He wants you dead."
Joe didn't even seem startled. "Figures."
I let out a breath and combed my hair. "We need to make this look real."
"Like with Rylan?" Jeo had a tight voice.
I gave a nod.
"And what happens if Victor finds out?"
"Then we’re all dead."
The Betrayal
I said, "This has to look real,"
Joe paused. "How real?"
I pulled the trigger. "Very."
His hands clenched into fists as he strained.
"Telsa—" I pressed the button.
He staggered back as the bullet grazed his arm. His sleeve erupted with blood.
"What the hell—"
"It has to look real," I impatiently said. "Now go down."
With a sudden gasp, Jeo collapsed to the ground.
I shot the wall twice, getting near enough to cause surface burns. I then put a touch on his pulse and
walked over him. Still powerful.
The difficult phase was about to begin.
Convincing Victor.
The Last Play
Victor personally examined the situation.
Jeo's pulse was checked by his soldiers.
"Dead," confirmed one of them.
Victor sighed, observing me intently. "You didn’t hesitate."
Evenly, I replied, "You told me to prove myself,"
A slow nod.
"Maybe you are loyal after all."
Perhaps.
Loyalty, however, was another trick.
And time was running out.
One of Victor's guys muttered something in his ear as he turned to go.
His gaze became gloomy.
Then he turned to face me.
He said, "Pack your things, Elena"
I felt sick to my stomach.
"Why?"
He had a keen grin.
"Because you’re coming with me."
Where— He didn't specify.
However, I suspected I wouldn't like the response.