17

Chapter 17

Anna

Internally, my entire body and mind were going haywire. Externally, I stared at Timothy with disinterest.

"He's a cop. He's been snooping around for information about the iron vine. What do you think of him?" Duncan asked, a maniacal grin on his face that told me he knew something, but what?

I shrugged.

"I don't know. Never met him," I said, even though I was shaking with fear inside. Timothy has been my partner since police academy, and in a way, he'd become my best friend. I didn't want to lose him, but he was in Duncan's grasp now. He was definitely going to get killed.

Duncan smiled.

"Maybe I should rephrase," he murmured. "What do you think we should do to him to send the law a message?"

"With all due respect, Duncan. This isn't why I am here. I am here as your accountant and assistant. Why does my opinion of a random cop matter?"

Duncan bared his teeth.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are way too smart for your own good?"

Duncan asked, stepping forward as if trying to intimidate me to speak the truth.

I instinctively moved back.

There was no reason to show Timothy any sign of weakness. The department had trusted me to handle this case because of my background and street smarts. I couldn't afford to show any weakness.

"A couple of people," I answered with a defiant tilt of my head.

He chuckled before turning towards Timothy and taking off the duct tape that covered his mouth.

Timothy's eyes found mine, and I had to look away.

The stupid fool had managed to get himself tangled up in this mess.

I had to get him out, but how?

If I made a careless move, my identity would be revealed, and I couldn't afford that.

My mind moved at a hundred miles per hour, searching for a way out of this.

I refused to lose someone else in my life by the hands of these fuckers.

Timothy took a slow, steady breath, blood trickling from his busted lip. He knew better than to acknowledge me – knew that even a slip-up could get us both killed in the blink of an eye.

"Nothing to say, cop?"

Duncan taunted, circling him like a predator guiding his prey.

Timothy stayed silent, his jaw clenched.

Duncan sighed dramatically and turned back to me. "You still haven't answered my question, Anna. Should I kill him, or should I send him back to the precinct with a message carved on his skin?

I gritted my teeth. Think, Anna. Fuckin think.

An idea suddenly popped up in my head, and I blurted out.

"Neither",

Duncan gave me a look.

"Neither?"

He repeated as if he needed to test the word himself to be sure of what I had just said.

"Yes, neither."

"Go on," he prompted.

I forced a smirk, despite my heartbeat completely going erratic in my chest.

"Killing him is a waste. Sending him back alive? Risky. He'll just come back again."

"Then what do you suggest?" Duncan asked, folding his hands around his chest, flexing his arm and pec muscles.

"There's nothing like having a mole on the inside. Cops go missing all the time—too many bodies pile up, and suddenly the heat is unbearable. But if you have a cop on your payroll?" I let the words linger, watching Duncan's expression shift. "Now that's power."

Timothy tensed up, but he knew better than to say anything, but he didn't react; he didn't even look at me. He knew I was buying him time, and any slip-up would end us both.

Duncan chuckled, his usually expressionless face filled with approval.

"You really are what Roberto says you are. Cunning and wise."

He turned back to Timothy. "Looks like it's your lucky day, cop."

I released a quiet breath, but the danger wasn't over.

Duncan crouched down in front of Timothy, gripping his chin.

"Now let's see how useful you'll be to me," he said, his voice dark and dangerous and filled with evil.

I swallowed hard.

I had only bought us time, but for how long?

Duncan was not a patient man from what I had seen, and soon he'd catch on to Timothy, but this was all I could do for now.

"Anna, you'll be in charge of him. Everything he reports will be through you. No mistakes will be tolerated. Take his details. Levi will be down shortly to brief him."

Duncan said, shoving his hands in his pocket. How could a man so elegant be so brutal without conscience?

"Yes, sir."

"Good," Duncan smirked before walking out of the basement.

I breathed out a sigh of relief and then made my way towards Timothy and slapped him across the face as hard as I could. 

I had no idea if there were hidden cameras or microphones here, so I had to be careful.

"You fool!" I whispered.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!"

"Long story",

"I'm going to kill you once we get outside." I said, and he nodded, knowing arguing was pointless.

I crouched down, pulling a small knife from my pocket and cutting the zip ties binding his wrists. Timothy flexed his fingers, wincing as the circulation returned.

"We don't have much time," I whispered, keeping my expression neutral.

"You have to act the part. Don't do anything stupid," I mouthed.

"You really think that monster is going to buy this?"

"If you act your part right, there's no reason he won't."

"I'm not working for that man, Anna. You shouldn't be here either. I told you not to volunteer for a job like this."

I sighed.

"You know this is important to me."

I said.

Once I was done freeing home, I pulled him up and dragged him towards the door.

Before I could open the basement door, it swung open from the outside. 

Levi stood, staring down at the gmus, his gaze narrowed.

"Duncan tells me you are responsible for him."

"Yeah",

"Interesting…" he muttered, his heavy gaze settling on Timothy. 

"Don't mess this up, rookie. The boss does not take kindly to failure or traitors."

"I know," I gritted out.

"Here", he handed me a burner phone.

"This is what he'll use to communicate with us, and if you betray us, I'll kill you myself, but not before skinning you alive."

He said.

Timothy glared but nodded. 

Levi walked off, leaving me with Timothy to collect his details.