Ivan clicked his tongue a few times while shaking his head. “You are not one who is in charge, Fiona.” He said my name slowly, dragging it out. 

“No, but you want something from me and I’m not doing diddly until I know Randy is okay. So… what did you do to him?”

Both of the men chuckled, as did the driver.

“We asked him few questions, is all. He was no forthcoming in beginning, but he come around. Now he sleeping off.”

I looked out the car window, trying to keep my face impassive while inside my heart was breaking. I warned the idiot. I told him something like this would eventually happen. Did he listen? Obviously not.

“How much does he owe you?”

“Enough that I don’t think you be paying this one back on your own. This time we are going to do in trade.”

I turned to face him, giving him a “you’ve got me kidding me” look. He laughed and waved both hands in the air. 

“No thing like that, I assure you… well, no unless you misbehave. As I saw in conference room, you have many, many talents, Ms. Reynolds. All of which will no only settle brother’s debt, also settle debt of my own.” His voice deepened into a dark drawl by the end. It gave me goosebumps. And not the kind Dillan’s deep commanding voice gave me. 

“I’m not doing anything until I see Randy for myself. I need to see that he is alive. After that, I will help you. Just this once. And then you will let us both go.”

Ivan gave me a patronizing look. “We see what happens.”

In other words, it didn’t matter. They were going to kill us anyway. The least I could do was drag this out, giving the grapevine enough time to get to Dillan. I had to trust that Dillan would save me. I had to believe he cared for me as much as I did him.

I had to believe that my father was right.

It took nearly an hour before we pulled up to a warehouse on the other side of LA. I waited quietly as they parked and let me out of the car. Then I followed Ivan into the building, the other man following behind me. We walked down a narrow corridor, passing many rooms with closed doors. We stopped outside the last one. 

A guard stood sentinel in the hall, next to the door. When he saw us, he opened the door and waved for me to go in. With my arms folded, trying not to let any of them get close enough to touch me, I warily walked inside. When I saw Randy curled up on the floor, I immediately ran over and dropped next to him, looking for a pulse. 

He was beaten black and blue. Worse than when Dillan had made him fight off the debt. 

I checked for a pulse in his neck, releasing a breath when I felt the faint beat. I dropped my head to his.

“What did you do this time, you idiot?”

The men chuckled from where they stood at the wall. “He made many large bets, both on sports games at bar, and poker games in back. What he win at table, he lost in bar.” Ivan explained. “I heard he supposed be cut off. I assume you terrify Dillan with little trick.”

My head snapped to him. How the hell did he know about that? What else did he know?

He grinned. “Dillan so angry when you cut him off. And then he took out on his poor employees. I often enjoy company of one. She all too ready vent her frustrations slightest opportunity. It was easy pry her for more information after. A woman scorned really is best tool against untouchable adversary. She told me all about how you storm way into club, demanding speak Dillan. And they all just cater to you. She so angry when she find out what you did to him. And yet, he no punish you. Instead, he help you. It make me wonder what you find on him. What you did with that information.”

“I did nothing. He’s a lying, cheating, dirtbag. He forced my brother to fight, won a boatload of money off him, and then still insisted we pay more. Dillan deserved what he got. I only gave him back access because he promised not to let my brother back in. He promised he would spread the word around town.”

Ivan put a hand to his heart, like he felt for me. “An honorable thing to do, but, unfortunately, Dillan can no control rest of us. He a powerful man, sure. But he can no control deals we each make. To be fair, I was curious after my little bunny tell me. I remember your brother. See, it was my man who fought him in ring. Dillan consistently refuses my offers to work together, but he still take my money when comes to fights. I no want partnership anymore. I want control of Indecent. Of his poker room and fighting rings. When he first opened it no problem. I did no think he would go far. I since learn I was wrong. His power grow all time. He has stayed in his lane, yes, but I will no allow anyone to have more power than me. Los Angeles is my domain. And with your help I can take out two adversaries for price of one.”

I was lost on what all he was talking about. 

“Dillan no much of a problem, more like annoying thorn in shoe. I prefer him be under my umbrella. The Italians, now they problem. I want you make look like they coming after Dillan. Make so he has no choice but seek aid from me.”