Page 15 of Tarnished Tyrant (Zhukova Bratva 1)

My neck suddenly feels very hot.

Roger never trained me to handle something like this. These kinds of issues would normally be discovered while we’re still working on the audit from our own offices. This isn’t something that would be uncovered this late in the game.

But I haven’t seen Zhukova’s files yet. Roger has.

Suddenly, realization dawns. No wonder that asswipe is in Aruba.

He’s a coward.He knew.

I paste on a thin smile. “Disappearances like that are the kinds of problems I’m supposed to find and account for. That’s my job.”

“Of course. You have your job, and I have mine. You’re good at your job, I’m sure. And I’m good at mine. Would you agree?” Arnold asks.

I stiffen in the chair. The light from the windows seems like a spotlight now. Maybe that’s why Arnold keeps his blinds pulled—so he can do his dirty deeds in the dark.

“That’s what I’m going to find out during this audit,” I say.

He laughs humorlessly. “Well, there’s really no need for it. I’ll tell you what I’ve told every auditor we’ve ever had: I’m a professional. Nothing happens in this company’s accounts that I don’t know about. So if you find unaccounted surpluses or losses, you can assume I already know. There’s no reason to report any of it. Business can sometimes be messy, as I’m sure you know.”

He gave this same speech to Roger? To Georgia?

And theyagreed?

I study Arnold’s face, trying to decide if this is some sort of test. He’s just staring back at me, waiting.

“What you’re asking me to do is illegal,” I say flatly. “I’m going to do my job exactly as I’ve been trained. And if you’ve been doing yours, then there shouldn’t be a problem.”

He looks surprised I’m pushing back, but not rattled. I have a feeling it takes a lot to rattle a scumbag like this.

“You’ll do as I say or you’ll be replaced. I will send you home right now.”

“You’re one of our biggest clients,” I blurt, even though I’m sure he already knows.

“And what do you think would happen, Miss Dowan, if you lost your company one of their biggest clients?”

I blink at him. “Are you blackmailing me?”

“No. I’m simply explaining a logical series of events,” he says. “You refuse to do what I say, I’ll cut ties with your company, and your company will fire you. You look quite young, and if your naked ring finger is any indication, you aren’t married. How much in savings do you have set aside?”

The blow lands exactly as Arnold hoped it would.

I bolt out of my chair. “I’d like to speak with your boss. Now.”

“This matter is beneath him.”

“You’re beneath everyone. But that’s beside the point. I want to see your boss.”

“He’s busy.”

“Then I’ll wait,” I grit out. “Maybe I will get fired. But if I lose my job, I’m taking you down with me.”

He chuckles. “You think you can get me fired?”

Well, I did… up until he said that with such a confident smile.

“If I tell your boss you are embezzling money, then yes, I think I can.”

“Okay.” Arnold stands up and walks around the desk. I flinch back, expecting him to attack me. Instead, he moves to the door and holds it open. “Come with me.”

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