Page 96 of Hard Wired

“Where are you taking her?” Dominic demanded.

Sandford smiled. “She’s coming with me. You shouldn’t have brought her, but I’m glad you did. It’ll save us another trip.”

The lawyer moved to the other car, and the door closed. Patrick scooted over, still aiming the gun at Dominic’s stomach.

This was so bad. He could barely keep himself from screaming. But he had to. Raymond and Sylvie were both counting on him now. He had to calm down and think.

“Where are we going?”

It was Alexi in the driver’s seat who answered.

“To your uncle’s house.” The man had a strong Slavic accent.

“Is Sylvie going there, too?”

“Think so. Yes.”

“Why’s she in a different car?”

“More room.”

More room for what? If Sandford hurt her, Dominic would end that fucker’s life. He’d choke him out and enjoy watching the light leave his eyes.

But right now, he was powerless. Sylvie had stuck by his side, and because of that, she was at the mercy of the kinds of men Dominic had feared becoming.

He eyed Patrick’s gun, but the man just glared back.

Dominic wondered about the Russian hackers who now worked for the Syndicate, and about Alexi. Was he Russian? Were these his uncle’s new friends?

Maybe Uncle Charles had done more than Dominic realized to take over the Syndicate. He might’ve needed new allies who provided him with foot soldiers and money.

But these new connections had to be dangerous, too. There was a reason Dominic’s own father had never relied on outsiders to run their business. Because the more powerful your friends, the more likely they’d eventually decide to take over your business and run it in your place. The kinds of people who were ruthless enough to help Charles conquer the Syndicate’s warring factions wouldn’t hesitate to stab anyone in the back.

They raced onto Wilshire Boulevard, leaving Raymond’s campus behind.

Dominic’s uncle lived in Bel Air, which wasn’t far. He figured it wouldn’t be long before he saw his uncle in person and learned exactly how far the man intended to go.

He tapped his fingers against the door, praying to the universe that Sylvie was okay.

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