Page 26 of Diesel
This must be Victor Kane.Even without an introduction, she knew.Tom did warn her about him.The name felt like a punch to the ribs.
“You must be Sophie Hart,” Kane said casually, as if they were meeting at a luncheon.His voice was smooth, cultured, faintly accented.“I was hoping you’d come.”
Sophie swallowed hard, willing her shaking legs to hold her up.
“I’m here,” she managed.“Now let him go.”
Kane chuckled, a slow, condescending sound.“Ah.Straight to business.Admirable.Unfortunately, that’s not how this works,” Kane said.
He pushed off the SUV and sauntered toward her, the other two men never moving from their post.The one behind Tom kept the gun steady, expression blank.The second man stood nearby, watching her like a hawk.
Sophie’s heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst.Kane stopped a few feet in front of her, tilting his head.
“You’ve been a very stubborn little thorn in my side, Miss Hart.”He smiled, cold and sharp.“This shop ...this property ...it’s worth far more than you seem to understand.”
Her throat felt dry as sand.“You want to buy it?You should’ve made an offer like everyone else.”
His smile widened.“I did.Through intermediaries, through legal channels.You refused.Now we’re past pleasantries,” Kane said.
He gestured lazily toward Tom.
“Here’s the situation.Your friend has been uncooperative.”Kane crouched to Tom’s level, brushing a stray lock of hair from the older man’s bloodied brow.“Refusing to sell.Refusing to even discuss terms.”
He stood and faced Sophie again.“So now it falls to you,” Kane said.
Sophie’s breath caught.“What do you want?”
Kane’s eyes gleamed.“I want you to convince Mr.Barret to sign the property over.Today.Now.Or...”He glanced meaningfully at the man with the gun.“We finish this little transaction a different way.”
“No,” Sophie whispered, horror twisting in her gut.
“Yes,” Kane said softly.“Your choice, Miss Hart.”
She looked to Tom.His chest heaved with shallow breaths, eyes wild.Tears burned behind her eyelids.She wanted to scream, to fight.She wanted Diesel, but none of those things would help her right now.
Kane stepped closer, voice dropping to a silky purr.“You’re the only leverage we need, Sophie.You’re close to him.He won’t say no to you.”
Sophie dug her nails into her palms.“And if I refuse?”she asked.
Kane’s smile vanished.His eyes turned to ice.“Then we leave two bodies on this bridge.”
Her breath strangled in her throat.
What do I do?She couldn’t risk Tom, but giving Kane the property would only invite more danger, more violence.
“Tick-tock,” Kane murmured.“I suggest you choose quickly.”
Her mind raced.If she stalled, maybe Diesel would notice.Maybe the Sentinels would realize she was missing.Maybe—
“Sophie!”Tom managed through the gag, shaking his head desperately.
She blinked hard, fighting the tears.
Think.Think.
“I need to ...I need to talk to him,” she said, voice trembling.“Alone.”
Kane arched a brow.“Mmm.No.”
