Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“Get to the point,” Knox says flatly.
“So direct! God, I love military men.” She shivers theatrically. “That commanding energy. The discipline. You can just tell he’d be incredible in—” She stops herself, waving a hand. “Sorry, sorry. Staying focused. My therapist says I have attention regulation issues. We’re working on it. She’s a wonderful woman, Dr. Knight. Very nonjudgmental. She’s been helping me with my impulse control, which, honestly, is the only reason I didn’t have my team bring Knox directly to my bedroom.” She winks at the camera. “Growth mindset.”
I exchange a look with Liam. His expression says what the actual fuck more eloquently than words ever could.
“Anyway! Business.” Marlena claps once, shifting gears. “I’ve given you time to settle in, process your feelings, maybe hash out some of that delicious tension I’ve been sensing. But now we need to discuss terms. You know I want the diamond—obviously—and here’s the fun part. I’m giving you a deadline. Christmas Eve at midnight. Ten days.” She holds up both hands, fingers spread. “I find deadlines really motivating. Dr. Knight says I’m very goal-oriented. It’s one of my strengths. We mostly work on my attachment style and my tendency to become obsessive about things I want. She thinks I’m talking about handbags.” She laughs. “I mean, I am also obsessive about handbags, but that’s not really the core issue.”
She settles back in her chair, legs crossed.
“So! Ten days. Tell me where the Snowflake is hidden, you go free. New identities, travel money, my personal guarantee Viktor never finds you. I’ll even write you a letter of recommendation if you want to get back in the game. I know people. Very connected people.”
“And if we refuse?” Knox asks.
“Then I kill one of you.”
Her tone doesn’t change. Same bubbly energy, same pleasant smile. Like she’s explaining the specials at a restaurant.
“The other two can watch and reconsider. I’ll give you a day to grieve—maybe two, I’m not a monster—and then we’ll have this conversation again. Hopefully with better results.”
The fire pops. Nobody speaks.
“I know, I know.” Marlena holds up a hand. “You’re thinking, ‘Marlena, that seems harsh. Marlena, is murder really on-brand for you?’ And honestly? It’s not. It’s really not. I don’t want to hurt any of you. Killing one of you would be like—” She looks up at the ceiling, searching. “Like using a Picasso as a dartboard. Like making a smoothie out of a first-edition Hemingway. Just—” She shudders. “Senseless destruction of something irreplaceable. So you understand why I really, really don’t want to damage any of you. Hurting you would hurt me.” She places a hand over her heart. “It would set back my whole emotional wellness journey. I’d need extra sessions with Dr. Knight. I’d probably need to increase my Lexapro. It would be a whole thing.”
She sighs heavily.
“I’ve been working on myself, you know? Learning to set boundaries, practicing self-care, asking for what I want instead of just taking it. Well. Mostly instead of just taking it. Baby steps. Personal growth looks different for everyone. The important thing is that I’m trying.”
I’m losing my mind. I have to be. Because this woman just threatened to murder one of us and then talked about her emotional wellness journey in the same breath, and somehow both things seem equally sincere.
“Here’s what I need you to understand.” For just a second I see something cold underneath all that warmth. Something that makes my stomach drop. “I’ve been waiting five years for this diamond. Five years of dead ends and false leads and watching it slip away. I’m done waiting. So when I say I’ll kill one of you?” The smile comes back, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I mean it. I’ll cry about it afterward. But I’ll do it.”
Then, like flipping a switch, she’s bright again.
“But let’s not dwell on the negative! Let’s focus on the positives.” She starts counting on her fingers. “Beautiful cabin. Gourmet food. Excellent wine selection—try the Malbec with the steaks, seriously, it’s an incredible pairing. And company you clearly enjoy.” Her smile turns knowing. “I’ve seen the way you three look at each other. Very charged.”
My face goes hot.
“You’re insane,” Knox says.
“I’m enthusiastic. There’s a difference. Dr. Knight and I have discussed this. She says my passion for my interests is actually a strength, as long as I channel it constructively.” She beams. “Which, again—strengths.”
Knox looks like he’s trying to solve an equation that doesn’t have an answer. Liam has his hand over his mouth, and I can’t tell if he’s horrified or trying not to laugh. I’m somewhere between both.
“I’ll check in again soon,” Marlena continues, glancing at something off-screen. “In the meantime, make yourselves at home. Eat, drink, get to know each other better.” She waves a hand. “I’ll be monitoring—but not constantly. I’m not some crazy voyeur sitting here watching you like a peeping Tom. God, can you imagine?” She wrinkles her nose. “That would be so invasive. So pathological. Dr. Knight would have a field day.” She shudders. “What you three do with your personal time?” She mimes zipping her lips. “None of my business. I’m a collector, not a pervert.”