Shadow of a Doubt (Tangled Ivy Book 2) (29 page)

Millions of Cell Phones Rendered Useless With Latest Software Update

My lips curved in the faintest of smiles. Reggie had done it. All the susceptible cell phones were “bricked,” as he’d called it.

Levin watched the screen for a moment, and I could practically feel the anger radiating from him.

“Impressive work,” he said to me. “It seems my investment has had a significant decrease in value over the past twenty-four hours.”

I didn’t reply.

“But you already knew that,” he said. “Let’s call our mutual friend, shall we?” He hit a button on his phone, the speaker came on, and he dialed.

I held my breath, waiting and praying that Devon would pick up. It rang twice. Then three times. On the fourth ring, someone answered.

“Yes.” It was Vega.

“Vega, I presume,” Levin said.

“I see she gave you my name,” she said, sounding unperturbed. “What a surprise.”

“So lucky for us that you don’t like to get your hands dirty,” Levin said, sinking into a leather chair and crossing his legs. “She was quite easy to break, once we found the right method.”

“Excellent. Then you have a password for me?” Vega’s voice was cold and clear.

“You owe me three hundred million dollars first,” Levin said. “Or should I say, the Shadow does.”

“We already discussed this,” Vega said. “Password first, then you get your money. It’s hardly my fault you didn’t do your research properly on the viability of that software before buying.”

“And the Shadow should learn to mind its own fucking business,” Levin spat. “Now you’re going to transfer that money for me or I don’t give you squat. No password and I keep the girl.”

“You can have her,” Vega said. “I’ll transfer half the money now, half the money after we’ve ensured she’s given you the correct password.”

“If she hasn’t, then pretty little Ivy will pay a dear price.”

“That’s not my concern. Now what’s the password.”

“I’m awaiting confirmation of the transfer first.”

A tense silence followed as Levin watched his computer screen. Finally, Vega said, “You should have it now.”

“Confirmed,” Levin replied. “The password is ‘the edge of hell.’ ” He glanced at me. “No spaces.”

“Excellent. Stand by.”

We waited. I looked around as inconspicuously as I could. The nearest door was several feet away with two men between me and freedom. No way could I make it.

“Well, Levin, it looks like your methods need some improvement.” Vega’s voice was biting.

“What do you mean?” Levin asked.

“She tricked you. That password unlocked the drive, which has now unleashed a virus into our system.”

Levin looked surprised, then recovered. “I think you’re bluffing,” he said. “I think you don’t want to pay me the rest of my money.” He signaled and the guard nearest me grabbed me by the elbow and
dragged me over to where Levin stood. “Send me my money or I’ll slit the girl’s throat.”

“You can slit her from neck to navel for all I care,” Vega sneered. “Did you really think I’d give you something as valuable as the man who hacked your system? You’re an idiot as well as a fool. She’s just a piece of ass that somehow got taken along for the ride.”

Levin’s gaze swiveled to me and it didn’t take a genius to see the fury in his eyes.

“Give her my best, won’t you?” Vega added sweetly, then the line disconnected.

Levin had a knife in his hand and at my throat before I’d taken another breath.

“You lied to me, made a fool of me,” he hissed. “You think you’re smarter than me?”

The knife moved and I couldn’t stop a whimper. I didn’t dare so much as twitch a muscle, for fear the knife would slice me. The cold blade touched underneath my jaw, then brushed the lobe of my ear. Tears wet my lashes, but didn’t fall.

“I’m just trying to survive,” I rasped, doing my best not to move as I spoke. “You’d have done the same.”

He looked at me, his face inches from mine. I held my breath, waiting. The knife was cold and sharp.

Levin stepped back and the tension broke. He handed the knife back to the guard and I finally took a deep breath. My knees were weak and I felt as though I was going to be sick.

“Your luck has held for a bit longer,” he said to me. “Take her away until I decide what to do with her.” He nodded to the guard, who dragged me away before I could say anything.

This time, he didn’t take me to the nice bedroom, but to another cell-like room even more sparse than the one before. It didn’t even have a bed. The guard gave me a hard push just to watch
me stumble and fall, then he laughed. The door shut with the hard clang of metal on metal.

I sat on the floor for a long time, thinking. I was really hungry, my stomach cramping in pain, but I tried not to dwell on it. I was thirsty, too, but again was helpless to do anything about it. I’d already escaped once, or had nearly done so, and it seemed they were taking no chances this time. No windows, no cot, nothing I could even begin to think of using as a weapon.

I was glad what Reggie had whispered to me in his final moments had worked. He’d told me two passwords. One for if the drive fell into the wrong hands, and one if it didn’t. I’d given the former to Levin, who’d in turn given it to Vega.

My stomach burned and my jaw ached. I lifted my shirt to look at the cuts on my skin. Angry red lines marred my abdomen. My face was bruised from where I’d been hit last night, and I was so tired, I felt I could curl up on the concrete floor and sleep. But I was too afraid of what might happen if I didn’t remain on my guard, so I propped myself against the wall and waited.

Time crawled by, but I was grateful for each minute that someone didn’t enter the room. I didn’t want to think of what was going to happen to me now. I’d need to go along with whatever Levin did and hope for an opportunity to escape at some point . . . I just didn’t know how long off that was.

When the door did finally open, it was to have someone toss me clothes.

“Put that on,” the man said, then he set a shoebox on the floor. “These, too. You’ve got ten minutes.”

“Or else what?” I called out as he was leaving.

“Or else you’re no longer useful,” he said. “And useless baggage is left outside with the garbage.” The door clicked shut behind him.

Okay then.

I untangled the clothes, already knowing I wouldn’t like what I was supposed to wear, and I was right. After stripping off my jeans and shirt, I hurried to pull on the skintight dress nearly the same shade as my hair, a light champagne. Straps went over my shoulders but it was sleeveless, the deep V in the front baring me nearly to my navel. It was made for a woman as thin as me, so it fit. The hem brushed mid-thigh, but a slit in the side went almost to my waist. The back was also nearly bare, the fabric dipping below my hips.

It wasn’t Versace, that’s for sure, and the shoes weren’t Jimmy Choo. Strappy sandals with gold and rhinestones, they winked and twinkled merrily when I walked. I was immediately freezing cold, and aware I had no makeup on and my hair wasn’t done up for wherever we were going.

No sooner had I tried a few steps in the heels, getting accustomed to their fit and height, than the door opened and Levin appeared. He smiled when he saw me, his gaze traveling from my face down to my feet and back up.

“I knew you’d look perfect in that,” he said.

“Perfect for what?” I shot back. But he only smiled.

“Time to be useful in what I imagine is the only way you know how,” he said.

The guard again herded me out, his meaty hand around my upper arm, and we were led outside. Night was falling as I was prodded into the back of a dark sedan. I could’ve made a break for it, but I wouldn’t have gotten two steps in the shoes without being caught.

Levin was next to me, but didn’t speak or look my way during the short ride that was a distance we could have easily walked. Not that I was complaining.

I shivered when we stepped out again, the cool evening air making goose bumps erupt on my skin. I had hopes that we were going someplace public. If so, I thought there was a decent chance I might get away, if I kept my wits about me and stayed sharp.

Two guards and I followed Levin down a long, narrow hallway, which opened to a large room. There was loud music playing, but the lyrics weren’t in English, so I didn’t know what they were about. Red lights were everywhere, throwing people and objects into weird shades of black and crimson. People crowded around a stage where a woman was dancing. She was really good. She was also really naked.

Averting my eyes, I tripped as I tried to follow Levin and knocked into someone.

“Sorry,” I mumbled to the man who’d turned.

“Get moving,” the guard behind me said, giving me a rough push.

“I’m going,” I snapped, snatching my arm out of his grasp.

“Here we are,” Levin said, stopping next to a couch that was roped off. A guard quickly moved the rope aside so Levin could sit down. Then he looked at me and patted his lap.

“What?” I asked, as if I couldn’t read that signal loud and clear.

In answer, a guard shoved and I half stumbled, half fell into Levin’s lap. I could tell right away that Levin was appreciative of my position and all the skin the dress revealed.

“I may have a use for you for a while,” he said. “Before I slice you into tiny pieces.” His fingers trailed from my collarbone, down between my breasts, and all the way to my navel. I shuddered, but didn’t dare try to shove him away. The memory of the knife against my throat was too fresh, but that didn’t stop me from mouthing off.

“I don’t think I’m your type,” I sneered. “To begin with, I’m conscious.”

Levin backhanded me hard enough that I saw stars. I fell off his lap onto the floor and he shoved me with his foot.

“Make her work a window for a while,” I heard him say. “That should teach her some respect.”

I was yanked to my feet and borne away from Levin, which was good. Security was tightest around him. Anywhere else I went had to be better. Except I hadn’t counted on where I was taken next.

It was an even darker room, the music throbbing through the walls like a living thing. I could see shabby curtains hiding little rooms. A woman and man stepped out of one and I saw him give her a kiss and hand her money before he left, then she disappeared behind the curtain again. A big guy was watching the curtains carefully, and I had the feeling he was keeping track of who was where and with whom.

“Lucas,” the man with me said, and the guy turned around. “I’ve got a temp fill-in for you for the night. Needs to work off some debt. Got anything?”

Lucas nodded, giving me a careful once-over. “Last room on the right is vacant tonight. She can have that one for thirty percent.”

“You’re charging me thirty? You know we always do fifteen.”

Lucas shrugged. “Last minute and she looks like a rookie. I don’t need no drama bullshit. So I’ll take thirty or you can find someplace else for her to work it off.”

“Fine. Just make sure she gets at least six in. She’ll do two at once, I know you got customers looking for that.” The guard smiled at me—a sadistic smile that made my blood freeze.

“All right, let’s go,” Lucas said, taking my arm from the guard’s hold and guiding me to the last room.

“There’s been a mistake,” I said. “I’m not a prostitute. They’re holding me against my will. Please let me go.” I pleaded with him, but Lucas seemed to have turned deaf. “Listen to me!” I cried, trying to get loose. “Let me go—”

Lucas had me by the throat and shoved me against the wall before I could finish my sentence.

“Listen, bitch,” he growled. “I don’t give a shit what sob story you have. I hear a hundred of ’em a week. You’re here to earn me thirty
percent, and that’s what you’re gonna do. It ain’t hard. Dance in the window, invite them in. Fifty bucks for fifteen minutes, add twenty-five if they have a friend who wants to watch. A hundred for anything kinky, and twenty for a blow job only, got it? Cash up front. Even a stupid bitch like you should be able to figure that out, right?”

I couldn’t breathe, his hand crushing my windpipe, and I nodded frantically. He let go. I gasped for air, coughing.

“That’s better,” he said. “I’d change clothes if I was you. Ain’t nobody going to come in here with you wearing all that.” Reaching out, he pulled at my dress and the fabric tore. I yelped and grabbed at the scraps, but it was too late.

“Maxine usually keeps some stuff in her room,” he said, pushing me past the curtain. “Use that. You got tonight—I’d make the most of it if I were you. Or I’ll take that thirty percent out of your sweet ass.” The curtain dropped and he was gone.

I stood there, staring at the black curtain, dumbstruck as to what I was supposed to do. I clutched my torn dress to me and tried to make my brain function, to come up with some kind of plan.

Just then, a door in the paper-thin walls separating the rooms opened and a girl poked her head in.

“I thought I heard Lucas bring someone in,” she said, her accent thick. Eastern European, I thought, but couldn’t tell if it was Ukrainian, Russian, or any one of a dozen other languages I was only vaguely familiar with. “You are new?”

I nodded. “I’m supposed to work.” I shrugged, utterly at loose ends. My mind wouldn’t accept the position I now found myself in, so I just stood there.

The girl opened the door wider and came inside. She was wearing a G-string and knee-high leather boots. Long satin gloves adorned her arms, and that was all she had on.

“I am Angelina,” she said.

“Ivy,” I replied.

“This is your first time?” she asked. I nodded. “You must dress,” she said, moving to a small vanity behind me and pulling open the top drawer. “If you do not pull in a customer, Lucas will beat you.” She said it matter-of-factly as she returned with scraps of fabric. “Try this.”

I let her help me out of the dress, a kind of numbness settling over me. This couldn’t be happening. Not really. A prostitute was helping me put on underwear so I could pay off a non-existent debt by having sex for money. It was something out of a nightmare, not my reality.

When she was finished, she gave me a look up and down. “There,” she said. “That is better.”