“That was different.” It wasn’t, but I hate that he’s right about that part. I always knew Jude was a fucking bastard, and I questioned my grandfather’s judgment when he made him C.E.O. of the company. What I didn’t know was what Jude had up his sleeves. “I didn’t know he was after the weapon.”

“Well, I did, and it was the one thing that made me useful to him. I delivered you to him, and now you’ll finish the design your grandfather started.”

“You fucking asshole, what makes you think I’m going to do shit?”

“You sent me an email yesterday. You wanted me to look after your mother and sister.” His smile widens, and immediately I know the direction he’s going with whatever threat he’s got ready for me.

“Leave them alone!” My mother and sister know nothing of my life, and they’d be ashamed to know who I’ve allied myself with.

“Eric Markov, you aren’t in a position to give orders. You’re about to get a very rude awakening. If you don’t do what you’re told, they’re dead.”

While I’m going crazy, he’s talking to me in that calm as fuck voice I’ve always hated.

“You’re not going to get away with this! I will kill you!”

Another blast of electricity pulses through me, and this time, the surge of power makes my body feel like it might combust.

My head slumps down, and I crumple, weak against the restraints holding me up.

Robert comes closer, moving right up to me.

I manage to lift my head when he rests a heavy hand on my shoulder.

“You will not kill me, friend. I’m afraid this is the end of the road for you and me. We won’t cross paths ever again. You will die here, but I will leave and be a very rich man.”

“I will kill you,” I repeat the words even though I know I can’t do anything.

“No, you won’t because you’re already dead. By this time next week, the world will think you died in a car crash. They’ll think we both did.”

I glare at him. That doesn’t make sense. “You? Why you?”

“It’s a small price I had to pay. Dead men tell no tales. However, like the phoenix, I’ll rise from the ashes and be whoever I want to be. The most important thing is your mother and sister will think we died—that you died. Then Jude will do whatever the fuck he wants to do to your family and take Markov Tech. That’s what’s going to happen.”

“You fucking bastard,” I choke out.

“Yes, I am.”

“I will end you for betraying me like this.”

He responds by pressing the button again, and this time, the electricity surges straight through to my soul.

Madness takes me at the same time the shock’s intensity increases.

All I see is Robert’s smiling face as I’m engulfed by pain.

But the promise of revenge echoes in my heart, mind, and soul.

If I ever get out of here, I will end him by whatever means necessary.

Chapter 1

Summer

Present Day

“Are you okay?” Marquees asks. His voice sounds staticky on the other end of the line.

“Yes, I’m okay,” I tell him, even though I feel far from fine and I’m sure I heard a noise. I just don’t know if the sound came from outside or inside the house.

Tags: Faith Summers Dark Syndicate Dark
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