Page 106 of The Gift
He yanked harder. Her dress ripped, and her hair slipped loose from its clip as she fought him. She was no match for his strength and stumbled out of the elevator.
“Let me go!” she cried.
He didn’t, dragging her to the SUV and wrenching open the rear door.
“Get in,” he ordered.
She pulled harder, shaking her head. “I won’t! Someone help me!” she screamed.
Short on patience, he lifted her off her feet and shoved her inside.
She caught herself on the seat, hair spilling across her face. She swept it aside as the door slammed shut behind her and the locks clicked with ominous finality.
Her heart pounded, her hand searching for the door latch, which did nothing when she pulled on it.
“Miss Stevens. We finally meet.”
Erica whipped around and stared in shocked horror at the other occupant of the back seat. Silvered hair. Immaculate suit. Eyes that measured rather than reacted.
Somehow, her voice was steady when she demanded, “What do you want from me?”
He regarded her for a long moment. “Do you know who I am?”
“I’d rather I didn’t,” she said. “But yes, Mr. Kedrov. I know you.”
“You have interfered in matters that do not concern you.” He reached into his jacket, withdrew a roll of mints, and popped one into his mouth. He paused then held the roll out to her. “Mentos?”
She stared at him, convinced he was insane or the devil incarnate.
He shrugged, unbothered, and slipped the roll into his jacket. The SUV lurched as the driver put it into gear.
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded.
“That is not important now.” He leaned forward, studying her. “You see what should remain unseen. You have cost me men, money, and damaged my reputation.”
His gaze was assessing and coldly predatory.
In that moment, she understood the fear Shannon and Gruzinsky felt.
“I’m trying to decide what to do with you,” he said in a menacing tone. “To do so, I must first determine whether you are useful or merely troublesome.” He reached out as if he might pick up a length of her hair. She wrenched violently away, slipping off the seat and onto the floor.
He dropped his hand, but he wasn’t done. “Choose wisely how you proceed. I am not a man known for his patience. Or his mercy.”
His threat hung heavy in the air.
Chapter 29
The noise outside grew louder, shouting and someone blaring on a bullhorn. Coop rounded the side of the building, coming to check the front, when he spotted Tasha under the drive-up canopy with Caleb. They were standing apart from the protest with other onlookers, watching as police moved several demonstrators toward waiting patrol cars.
Relief hit first. Irritation followed.
He strode forward, pausing once to show his badge, then clipped it to his belt. “Tasha.”
She turned. “Dad—”
“I thought you were getting some air,” he said.
“I was,” she said defensively. “But things got interesting.”
