Page 90 of Spin Control

So this is why my private investigator couldn’t find Stas after he failed to contact me. My working theory was that he had been taken in by some agency. But no. He’s been here the whole time.

“How’d they get you?” Stas asks as a salad course is served.

“Abducted during a post-Pilates power walk. You?”

He stabs a piece of lettuce with his fork. “Pre-dawn run.”

“Were you at least on your cool down, or were they so rude as to keep you from your cardio?”

Stas’s eyes sparkle with amusement, but the rest of his face stays neutral. “I had just started kilometer seven when someone grabbed my arm and dragged me off the path, into the trees.”

“That’s harsh. Probably worse than me not being able to enjoy the salad I picked up.”

“You have salad now,” the crony beside me says. The chesty laugh that erupts from my mouth is so loud that everyone at the table jumps.

“Congratulations, Antonio,” Stas says drily, the consonants crisp. “You have developed comedic timing.”

That just makes me laugh harder. I know it’s the trauma and the terror and the complete hopelessness of the situation manifesting in laughter—because oh my God, Stas Dubinsky and I are being held captive by a criminal organization. But also? That was fucking funny.

Soon, the salads are cleared and plates filled with fragrant risotto and braised beef are brought out.

“So,” I say. “What’s your theory?”

“Elio is using us to blackmail people,” Stas says resignedly. “Since you’re here, I assume that means my uncle has continued evading him and Elio is now putting pressure on Wes.”

The food sits heavy in my stomach. “Putting pressure on Wes to do what?”

“I haven’t seen the news in a while,” Stas says. “But I have a feeling it has to do with the sanctions Druvia wants the UN to put on China.”

I knew Druvia’s timing with their announcement earlier this summer couldn’t have been a coincidence. “So Elio is distributing Reverie.”

“Among other things. But his time is almost up,” Stas says. “Interpol may be slow, but they aren’t incompetent. Elio must be feeling desperate. That’s why you’re here.”

“No more talking,” the man beside Stas says, his voice low and gravelly.

My eyes meet Stas’s—and the smile he gives me is one I recognize.

He trots it out once a year, stunning the entire world.

It’s not just shockingly beautiful, but confident. Steady.

Victorious.

36

It takes surprisingly little to organize the trip to Druvia.

Elio used my phone to text Étienne, who immediately wrote back saying I’m welcome any time. So he let my friend know I’d be there tomorrow.

Since then, Elio has kept my phone from me. What’s worse is that the asshole turned it off silent, so I can hear every single notification that comes in. But I don’t know if they’re from Adrien or my mom or—

But no. Elizabeth wouldn’t be messaging me. She’s in some gilded prison, her brilliant mind crafting plan after plan after plan. There’s no way in hell she’ll let Elio get away with any of this.

He has to know that. And that chills me to the bone.

My phone rings shrilly, making me jump in alarm. “Jane Andrews is calling,” Elio announces, and my heart leaps.

This is the opportunity I need. This is how I get help. “I need to take that.”