Chapter 21
Chapter 21
ANATOLI RESIDENCE
8:48 p.m.
“You’re simply divine.”
“Thank you, Mark.”
Mark is a wealthy Russian businessman who works in arms import-export and has been dealing with us for years.
He’s tall, in his forties, with graying hair, blue eyes, and an imposing build. Despite his age, he exudes presence and captivating charisma. For the occasion, he wore a dark blue suit that brought out the color of his eyes, making him even more attractive.
“Let’s settle on the living room couch to talk business.”
Hakim and I follow him to the living room where he sits on the main couch. We sit on the other one facing him.
“I clearly stated I wanted us to be alone.”
“Don’t worry, Hakim knows how to be discreet. He’s only here for my protection.”
“Your father should know you’re perfectly capable of defending yourself.”
“True, but you know how he is.”
Mark lingers onmy bare legse. I’m wearing a short, tight dress that shows off my curves. You have to stack the odds in your favor to succeed.
Since I was sixteen, he’s never hidden his interest in me or his desire to have me, despite my repeated rejections. Still, Mark knows how to stay professional:
“What’s the update on the weapons?”
“Same as usual. Money first, then the guns.”
“When will you bring them?”
“They’re in a safe place. I’ll bring them to you in a week or two.”
“Very well. I know you keep your word.”
“You could’ve just spoken with one of my father’s men if it was only about that.”
“It’s been a while since I last saw you-I seized the opportunity.”
I smile at him, then glance sideways at Hakim, who looks uncomfortable being in the same room with us. Mark doesn’t pay him any attention.
“I’ve spent years trying to have just one night with you, Inara, and you’ve always refused. Can I hope this time will be
different?”
Hakim clenches his fists but says nothing-pathetic, that one.
A real man would have stepped in without hesitation if someone spoke like that to the woman he claimed to love. No matter the consequences.
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Chapter 21
Hakim is, and always will be, my father’s guard dog.
I stand up from the couch. I lock eyes with Mark, who is fantasizing about me-his pants leave little to the imagination.
I grab the suitcase full of money from the table and hold it firmly against my waist, still staring at Mark.
“I don’t mix business with pleasure, Mark. You should know that by now.”
I gesture to Hakim to get up. We head for the exit under Mark’s stunned gaze, and I give him a mischievous smirk with a
wink.
“Don’t lose hope. Maybe one night you’ll get your chance. But to find out, you’ll have to keep being a very loyal client.”
One week later
PRISON
4:45 p.m.
I’ve been searching over and over for a way to finish this mission and stay alive, but I can’t find any. Alexander is watching me. One wrong move and he’ll take me out.
Time is running out and the noose is tightening. He’s getting out tomorrow. His release will be my death sentence. There’s no way I’ll find a solution in twenty-four hours.
I’m so done with this shitty job, with being around asshole guards-except for Mathieu, who quickly became a friend.
I haven’t forgotten that the warden gave Anis the green light to come after me. I’m even more on edge. I’m cornered from all sides.
“Hi, Fatih. How are you?”
Fatih is sitting alone on a bench since the start of the break, head down; no sign of Alexander by his side.
Where the hell did that guy go this time?
Fatih lifts his head when he sees me and gives me a bright smile. He shifts over on the bench and pats the spot next to him.
I return his smile and sit down.
“Hello, are you doing well, miss?”
“Call me Inara. You don’t need to be so formal. It makes me uncomfortable-I’m not used to it.”
“Alright then.”
“Alexander’s busy, if you’re looking for him.”
I immediately turn to him, slightly embarrassed.
“I’m not looking for Alexander.”
“I’ve seen the way you look at him. When he isolates himself, you’re never far behind—and vice versa.”
“That man doesn’t interest me. He’s way too arrogant for me.”
“Eyes don’t lie.”
“My eyes glare at him every time.”
2/5
“You know, Alexander is a good guy despite appearances. He just made some bad choices. He’s a man of values and principles who, despite his actions, is still a good person.”
“He’s dangerous.”
“He’s a good guy, but… he’s constantly fighting to defend his own and not get taken down by the envious.”
“You seem to like him a lot even though you’ve only known him since he arrived.”
“I’ve been here for years. Alexander is the one who’s left the biggest impression on me. He would do anything for his people.”
“Alexander’s an asshole who thinks he’s better than everyone else.”
“Don’t forget he fights to demand respect and not get overthrown.”
I sigh.
“You’ve spent a big part of your life here.”
“I don’t regret it, even if I might die in this prison.”
“You don’t regret the crimes you committed?”
“I’m a changed man, but I can’t deny or forget my past. I use the mistakes I made to move forward and become a better man. My only regret is hurting the people who loved me because of my actions and greed.”
He looks me straight in the eyes and then smiles, gazing attentively at the faint dimple on my cheek—it’s barely noticeable.
“You look a lot like your mother, you know?”
My eyes widen, shocked by what he just said. I glance around to make sure no one can hear us.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“No point pretending with me.”
I sigh and run a hand through my hair.
“Alexander told you my real identity.”
“I overheard one of his conversations with one of his men on the phone. I quickly made the connection to your parents.”
“My parents”-a phrase that means nothing to me.
“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“If the other inmates find out who I am, I’ll be in serious trouble. Not to mention what the justice system will do to me for infiltrating this place.”
“I knew you weren’t a real guard. Like I said-eyes don’t lie.”
“What do my eyes have to do with anything?”
“Your eyes don’t have the light of innocence someone your age should have. You must’ve lost that innocence long ago, from all the pain you’ve endured.”
Have I ever really been innocent?
3/5
+23)
Chapter 21
“You knew my mother?”
That’s the only question that matters to me.
“I saw her briefly in the past. I did some business with your father before ending up in this hole.”
“Really? What was she like?”
I only have vague memories of her. I was very young when she died. It’s hard to remember her face, and my father didn’t keep a single photo of her-not even one from my birth.
“You look just like her: same almond-shaped brown eyes, piercing gaze, same delicate features, same golden skin tone like Saudi women, and the same ebony hair-except hers was long.”
I smile as I picture her face. She must’ve been beautiful.
“It was a long time ago-the last time I saw her, about fifteen years.”
“A bit more. She died sixteen years ago now.”
“Time flies. I even think I saw you briefly. You were a little girl who could barely talk.”
I’ve known plenty of misery, but there were also moments of happiness—even if they were short and rare.
“Then you must know my father well too, right?”
His face darkens.
What have you done now,
Khalid?
“I knew your father was power-hungry. I never thought he’d go so far as to send his only daughter to a place like this for a few pieces of information.”
“My father has no limits. If you worked with him in the past, you know exactly what I mean.”
“I remember his temper and violence all too well.”
I immediately look away. I feel buried memories starting to surface.
“How did you two meet?”
“I’d rather not get into that with you.”
I don’t press further-he looks too uncomfortable.
“You went through hell with him, didn’t you?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I completely understand. Can I give you some advice?”
I nod, and he places a hand on my shoulder.
“As soon as you can, get away from your father. I think you’ve suffered enough. He’s dangerous—more than
He thinks I’ve never dreamed of running away?
How many times have I packed a small backpack with just the essentials to flee?
you
know.”
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Chapter 21
But it’s impossible. In the gang, you either love it or you die.
I chose to pretend to love it.
To survive.
“I’d rather not talk about the gang with you, Fatih.”
“As you wish.”
A silence falls between us and I keep scanning the yard. Still no sign of Franck or Anis. They were supposed to relieve Mathieu and me.
“Prisoners and guards come and go as they please around here.”
“You should go find Alexander.”
“I don’t want to see that guy.”
“You two could get along. You’re not that different.”
5/5
AD
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