a's

roadways. My heart hammered in my chest in time with the speeding engine. Half-expecting to s

t tempo

icating he was as tight as I was, his hands closed into fists on his l

cannot keep running forever. They wi

nd whatever twisted game he was engaged in made me shudder. "What th

not vanish just like that. Victor will find us wherever we go

Not looking off th

riumphed. We provide him what he desires, or at least help him to s

ch of it could really be accomplished. But Sam had a

Trying to keep the trembli

he circumstances. "We have to learn exactly Victor's preferences. He said Venessa owe

shudder raced down my spine. She had been merciless, clever, and ready to do what

said, "We could check her files. She maintained all of

"It's a start. Still, we have to exercise caution. Victor

sure, Nadia, you are ready for this? T

o time for second-guessing or room for doubt. Victor had made th

irm, "I'm in. Let

anxiety hiding behind his eyes. Though he knew as well as

rid of the impression we were headed into a trap, what decision did we have? Should we avoid confronting V

like a ghost of the past, the magnificence of the estate served as a

car and urging fast movement.

e. As we neared Venessa's office, I started to feel uncomfortable. When we had visite

me back when I pulled open the door. The shadows hung at the corners, and I could

s if he had expected this, he knew just where to search. He opene

for?" My interest was

would not leave anything significant strewn about. It wou

ly undetectable button on the desk's bottom. A slight cl

eanor grew darker with every page he turned. His shoulders w

voice just above a

blood stopped cold. Venessa and Victor had a contract, a thor

d get their hands on-high-level government secrets, business espionage, blackmail. Ve

ol more than only money or authority. Victor was a puppet mas

this here. If Victor discovers we know about this

e we could get going. Turning to find a shadowy fi

somew