The Carmichael Sunshine

Chapter 7

"Where am I?" I demanded.

"You're safe...for now."

"HA!" I couldn't help but laugh. Connor swiftly brushed the books sitting on the chair off onto the floor and settled in comfortably. I watched as he crossed his leg with ease. Despite the fact that we were in the middle of nowhere, he was still wearing a three-piece suit, his hair slicked back just-so. The villain leaned back comfortably, tapping his finger on the armrest. I stared at his expensive Rolex.

"Talk."

"This has been a huge misunderstanding," I chirped, finally getting to some form of sitting position. I couldn't really see him well in the darkness of the room. The moon from the window was the only thing illuminating us. Half his face still sat in darkness.

"Enlighten me."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, "It was a mistake."

"I'll say," he grinned with teeth. The white of his teeth sparkled in the darkness.

I frowned, "Did you have to choke me?"

Connor rolled his neck and cleared his throat, "You're lucky I didn't cut your head off and deliver it to your cousin's door."

"So you know Pavel is my cousin?"

"I now know everything," he said smoothly, almost looking bored.

I swallowed. "O-kay...so did you also know I didn't even know he was my cousin until halfway into my assignment with you? I promise I didn't know who you were or who he was when I took the job. I never..." my voice faded. Connor gave away nothing. He sat so still, looked so bored, unentertained, I wondered if he even cared. "I'm sorry."

He laughed bitterly, "You don't even know how sorry you should be."

"Where are we?"

"I ask the questions," he said darkly, his voice low and dangerous.

"Okay," I whispered.

"What information did you give to your cousin?"

"I found the floorplans," I winced, "I...the documents in your desk. I sent him those. And then the recording device. But only the one day. I felt bad as soon as I put it under your desk. I went back to take it out. That's what I was doing when you caught me. I was going to call the whole thing off with him."

Something flickered in Connor's eyes. But he gave nothing away. His expression turned back cold instantly.

"Rowan knew who I was," I whispered, "before I did. He did the background check. He specifically requested me for the assignment."

Connor didn't move. "Thank you for that riveting piece of information."

I frowned, "Okay, so you figured out Rowan knew who I was..."

"Rowan has been dealt with."

I gulped.

The threat behind his words cut like a knife.

"Can't trust anyone anymore," he smirked at me.

I blinked back unexpected tears. This wasn't me. I was trustworthy. I wasn't a spy. I wasn't.

"I didn't know anything when they hired me. I promise. Pavel came into Scarlet's one night. I was being attacked by some creep and he saved me. That's when he told me who he was. We talked about my mom. My family. People I've never met or known. I thought..." my voice faded. Connor still wasn't moving, "I thought Pavel cared about me. Wanted to be family. Do you know what it's like being so alone?"