Page 7 of Fighting Salvation

“If you think kidnapping and sensory deprivation is kindness and respect, you need to work on your skill set.” Her snort was unintentional and she wondered if her bravery was a sign she was losing her mind from lack of sleep or food.

Hansen released her arm and stood, his jaw working as if he was angry. “Bás poisoned you against me.”

“No, your actions did that.”

“You don’t understand. I’m trying to make a better world, to make it safer.”

“By exploiting vulnerable women?”

“Those women are collateral damage.”

Val shook her head as she regarded him. “Do you hear yourself? Human beings are not collateral damage. They have the same rights as you and I do.”

She didn’t know why she was arguing with him. She knew enough to know it was a pointless task, but maybe he’d slip and tell her something useful.

“You’re wrong, Valentina. Not everyone is equal. We, as a race, try and tell ourselves we are fair and that we’re all the same with the same basic goals but it’s a lie. It’s dog-eat-dog in this world and only the strong survive.”

“And what you do is strong? Attacking and manipulating more vulnerable people?”

“Yes. I’m making sure that I come out the victor at any cost.”

Val tipped her head, pretending to consider but she was actually scoping out the area around them. It was a hangar of some kind but nothing in it gave her any indication of where she was or even what country. She’d been out of it for a while so she could be anywhere. “So, what’s the plan, now?”

“Well, Bás knows I have you. He’s probably losing his mind about now.” His lips tipped into what some might call a smile, but it had no depth. His eyes didn’t crinkle like a certain Irishman’s did when he broke out a rare grin.

“So, I’m bait?”

“Bás is very fond of you. I’ve seen how he looks at you. I’ve never seen him look at anyone that way before, but you,” he waved his finger at her, “you’re different.”

Val snorted on purpose this time. “Wrong. He doesn’t see me any differently from the rest of his team.”

Hansen’s chuckle rumbled from his chest. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

Valentina didn’t answer him, because why argue a point like that with someone who didn’t matter anyway?

“No matter? It serves its purpose.”

“And that is?”

“My dear Valentina, I can see why he likes you. Here you are at my mercy, weak and with no knowledge of where you are or what your future holds, and still, you try and get information out of me. Let me say, interrogation is not for you. Maybe stick to the puppy training.”

“I’m not trying to interrogate you, dickhead. I’m making conversation.”

“In an effort to get information. Yes, I know. Well, I’m going to give you an A for effort but you’ll only get what I decide to give you.”

Val sighed and her nails raked over the itchy welt on her hand, which was spreading.

Hansen’s eyes moved over the bite and his brow furrowed. “I had planned to do this later but circumstances have changed.” He turned to two men who appeared behind him and nodded. “You know what to do.”

He watched as the two goons grabbed her arms on each side and the fight she put up was pointless. She couldn’t outmanoeuvre the men in her current state, and in some ways, Hansen was right. Without her dogs, she was vulnerable.

“Valentina, our time together has come to an end. I hope we meet again soon. I have enjoyed our little chat.”

She bared her teeth. “Not mutual.”

He grabbed her hair in a bruising hold. “For the record, I do not kill animals. Monty and Scout are perfectly healthy in the Kuniz Valley.”

Relief made her sag slightly, tingles racing across her body making her lightheaded.