I decide to toy with him a bit, I feel like it’s now or never, and I want to get him flustered. “Well, I do have some pretty sensitive information that could really damage my family,” I say kind of dramatically, without going too over the top. “But before I share anything, I need to know it’s safe,” I explain seriously. “What do you do with this information once you have it?”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” he reassures me. “I’m the only one who has access to it. Everything’s locked up here in my office, and you’ve seen all of the security measures required to get in here. I’m the only one with the key,” he explains, waving his hand toward the filing cabinets that line the room.
I take a moment to pretend to consider. “Prove it to me,” I challenge. “How do I know what’s in those cabinets? I already told you I know Cody’s secret—show me his. Prove to me that it’s still here.”
Viktor looks annoyed as he reluctantly stands and heads to a filing cabinet with an R on it. Eventually, he locates Cody’s file. It’s a secure manila envelope, and he slides it across the desk to me.
“See? Safe and sound, right where it’s been since he came here,” Viktor says, sounding smug, like he’s got me right where he wants me.Jokes on you, asshole.
I open the envelope and quickly scan the document. It’s a notarized letter, addressed to Viktor, explaining his family’s secret and expressing Cody’s trust in Viktor to help him navigate the situation.
“Well, this won’t be worth much when he tells his whole family,” I point out casually. “He’s planning on telling his parents soon and finally finding out if they know.”That’s complete bullshit, but Viktor doesn’t need to know.
He looks even more pissed as he tries once again to earn my cooperation.
“Would you like me to get a notary up here so you can tell me whatever your secret is?” Viktor pushes.
“I’m not telling you shit,” I say in a cheery tone, and his look of confusion makes me seriously happy. “Look at how easily you just handed over Cody’s secret,” I point out, holding it up for emphasis.
His expression hardens. “So, you’re leaving? What’s your plan? You’re just going to break up with Cody that easily? Go back home? I guess you don’t care about him like I thought you did,” he taunts.
“We don’t need to break up,” I assure him.
“Well, if you’re not prepared to prove your loyalty, then I think your stay here in Linna has surpassed your welcome. It’s time for you to go,” Viktor says with authority.
"Well, maybe he’ll come with me,” I argue to gauge his reaction.
Viktor’s smirk turns into a full-blown laugh. “Cody would never leave because ofyou,” he scoffs. “Cody is one of my most valuable assets on the Kyla team. He’s brought thousands of people to our seminars. He loves this place more than anyone. Codyisthis company. There’s no way he’d choose you over me,” he says confidently, and I know I need to act fast.
“If Cody’s information is worthless now anyway, with him telling his whole family soon, why don’t you just give it to me? I’ll take it when I leave,” I challenge.
“I’m not just going to hand it over to you when he hasn’t even told his family yet,” he sneers.
I shrug, feigning indifference. “He was planning on doing it this weekend, so if you want to hold onto it, that’s fine. But I have more money than I know what to do with, so I’d pay you for it.”
Viktor perks up at that. “How much are we talking?” he prods, trying to sound nonchalant but intrigued.
“I don’t know. How much are you thinking?” I ask.
“A million dollars.”
I can’t believe the fucking guts of this asshole to ask me for that much money.
But Cody is worth so much more than that, so I don’t hesitate.
“Fine,” I say, pulling out my phone. “Give me your info, and I’ll call my banker right now.” He hesitantly tells me, and I make a short call. I don’t spend crazy amounts of money like this often, but my family is well connected, and I know who to call.
“You didn’t actually arrange to send me a million dollars, that could have been anyone,” he scoffs when I hang up. He sits back at his computer to no doubt confirm the information, and when he sees the scheduled pending transfer, he looks genuinely shocked.
“Fine,” he huffs, with a tone of annoyance, even though I just gave him a million fucking dollars. “Take it with you. It won’t do me any good anyway,” he says confidently. “I’ve never really needed leverage on Cody. There’s no way he’d ever leave me. He’s one of my most loyal members. He loves Linna. He loves me. Cody’s not going anywhere,” Viktor rants.
After securing his letter and the envelope, I slip my phone out. Viktor’s too busy hitting a button on his desk to call security and asking them to escort me out to notice when I hit the screen to call Cody, quickly placing it on speaker and then lowering the volume so we can’t hear him, but he can hopefully hear us.
With my phone screen against the envelope in one hand, I raise both hands in surrender. “Maybe you know Cody better than I do,” I say loudly. “But I’ve got his collateral, and I don’t want to hang out in this creepy city anymore. So, I guess I’ll leave, and we’ll see if he follows me.”
Security quickly arrives and escorts me out of the building into one of their cars. For a minute, I fear I’ve underestimated Viktor, and that I’m about to be driven to the top of a mountain to be murdered, but then we pull up to Cody’s house. They proceed to follow me inside to get my bag, looking a little confused when they see it’s already packed.
“I knew my time was up,” I explain with a shrug, and they don’t say anything.
