Page 36 of No Promises, No Lies

“Good girl.” My words earn me a glare.

“You are Adrik Kostalov’s daughter?” I wait for confirmation.

Her answer is dripping with resentment. “Yes.”

Whatever, I’ll take it.“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you’d kill me,” she answers simply. Her eyes slide to mine.

I tilt my head to the side, studying her.I can give her that one.

“What is the Bratva planning?”

She scoffs, “How am I supposed to know?”

“Why are they allying with the Italians?”

Her jaw tightens before she answers, “I don’t know.”Lie.

“Is Adrik dealing in skin?”

She wrinkles her nose in disgust. “Skin? Like animal skins?”

I push on, “Did Adrik order the hit on Declan O’Rourke?”

She stills, staring at me with wide eyes.

I repeat my question, “Did Adrik order the hit on Declan O’Rourke?” Enunciating each syllable. I couldn’t be more clear.

“I don’t know.” Her voice no louder than a whisper.

I pounce on her. “Did Adrik order the hit on Declan O’Rourke? Yes or no?”

“I don’t know!” She shouts this time, pulling against the restraints, unnerved by my repeated question.

“Mmmm, nope.Wronganswer.” I step closer to her. “I think youdoknow,Aurora,” I taunt, tracing a single finger from her ankle to the hem of her skirt as I move closer, my threat clear.She lies perfectly still, frozen in fear. “Did Adrik order the hit on Declan O’Rourke?” I ask, softer this time.

“I don’t know!”

My fingers play along the edge of her skirt and I watch as she falls apart. “I don’t know! I DON’T KNOW, OKAY? I don’t know!!!”

I drop her skirt and she releases a panicked breath, pulling hard against her restraints again.

“Such a little liar. Let’s see what a little time does to loosen that tongue of yours.” I turn, stalking for the door. She writhes on the bed behind me. I can hear the metal straining with her movements and she shouts after me.

“No. Please!!! Don’t leave me like this…”

“Aidan!”

I almost turn back at the sound of my name on her lips, her desperate plea to me. But I don’t. I keep going until I’m out of the bedroom and into the hall.

“I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING. I SWEAR I DON’T.” She’s sobbing now. “PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME HERE!”

They’re the last words I hear from her before I slam the door shut behind me.

22

KOSTALOVA

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