Inna was no longer just a role. She stopped being that somewhere along the way. But Iker didn’t need to know that.
“I want Luigi,” I declared. “And Inna knows him.”
The words left me just as the corner of my eye caught a shadow shifting near the staircase. My gaze drifted toward it, but by the time I focused, it was gone.
“I don’t understand.” Iker pulled my attention back. “Luigi attacked me and took someone important. You mean…”
He stopped mid-sentence. The realization formed on its own. It was good to see he bought the setup I planted. He knew Luigi took Inna’s father, so he would believe this.
Roman let out a quiet scoff beside me, already lighting another cigarette. He understood exactly what I was doing, and he knew the name I had just thrown into the room. He also knew better than to speak.
“So, let me get this straight,” Iker said slowly. “How does she know Luigi?”
“A desperate woman will do anything,” I replied. “I’ll keep her until Luigi faces me. I don’t know what you want from her, but be careful. She’s still mine.” He knew who I was, so he understood this. “When I get what I want, then we can talk.” I stepped back. “If we’re done here, I have other matters to attend to.”
I moved toward the stairs, but Iker’s voice stopped me. “Wait.”
A small smirk pulled at my mouth while facing away. It worked. It always worked. Everyone always falls for my deception.
“There must be something we can do,” his tone changed. “It seems I misinterpreted the situation.”
You didn’t. I just played smart.
“What do you want?” I asked, turning back slowly.
He stepped closer now, no longer testing boundaries but ready to negotiate.
“Luigi took her father,” he said. “I want him and the boy. Once I have the boy, I will kill the father myself.” His eyes held mine with intent. “Name your price. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. You can dispose of the girl after you’re done.”
Dispose.
Roman was right. This wasn’t about anyone but Cole.
“You want me to do what?” My voice grew colder.
“Use her,” Iker said plainly. “Get me to where the father is.”
“And what do I get?” I asked.
“Name it.”
Roman cleared his throat like he was about to interfere, but I lifted a finger without looking at him. He stopped.
“Zachary,” I said.
Iker raised an eyebrow. It took him a bit to let that in. “Zachary the Cuban?” I didn’t need to answer that. He exhaled with a nod. “Alright,” he said. “My family’s future depends on that boy.”
Oh, sure it did. But at that moment, I was the one determining his family’s future.
“You’ll hear from me,” I declared and left.
A quiet sound of rushed footsteps reached me before I got to the staircase. By the time I took several stairs, they had faded, leaving behind a soft, familiar perfume. How could I forget that scent? It became my favorite without me realizing it.
It meant Inna heard everything. She knew exactly what kind of man she was involved with. What she didn’t know was what I had in my mind.
Chapter Thirty
Inna Grace