The Romanov Legacy by Jenni Wiltz Read Free Book Online Page B

wrong?
    “Nothing,” she lied, forcing a smile as she sat
upright.  “Everything’s fine.  I just want to know what’s going on.”
    “Are you sure you don’t want to rest first?  You don’t
look well.”
    Natalie gritted her teeth.  “I’ve been chased out of my
apartment, shot at, and nearly killed.  The least you could do is tell me
why.”
    “Of course,” he said.  “I’m sorry.  My name is
Constantine Dashkov.  I work for the Public Security Intelligence Bureau
of the Russian Federation.”
    “What the hell does that have to do with me?”
    “You have information we need.”
    “I don’t have shit.  I thought I told you that
already.”
    “Please, Professor Brandon,” he said, holding up his palms
as if he were surrendering.  “This will be much easier for both of us if
you just cooperate.”
    Natalie looked up sharply, clasping the bedspread until her
knuckles shone white.  Behind her eyes, Belial’s shoulders began to shake
and it took her a moment to realize he was laughing.  “Fuck,” she
said.  “Fuck, fuck fuck.”
    “What is it?”
    She tried to twist her lips into a smile but moving any
muscles near her brain hurt too much.  “I’m not who you think I am,” she
whispered.
    “I called you by name in your apartment.  We both know
who you are, professor.”
    Natalie opened her mouth to explain but nothing came
out.  She wished she were telepathic instead of…whatever the fuck she
was.  What am I, Belial? she asked silently.  Do you even
know?
    I do , he answered.
    Then help me , she begged.  If she told
Constantine the truth, would he let her go or just start chasing Beth? 
She couldn’t think.  Forcing ideas into her swollen brain felt like
pushing a bedspread through a keyhole.  “I’m not who you think I am,” she
repeated.
    Constantine put a hand under her chin and tilted it to look
her in the eye.  “Pretending you’re someone else won’t make me go
away.  You know that, don’t you?”
    “I’m telling you the truth.”
    “Then if you’re not Professor Brandon, who are you?”
    “Beth is my sister.”
    He tightened his grip on her chin.  “Our records
indicate that apartment is leased by Elizabeth Brandon.”
    “She rented it for me.  It’s her signature on the
lease, not mine.”
    “Then why do her employment records also list that location
as her residence?”
    “She makes students cry on a regular basis,” Natalie
snapped.  “Would you want hundreds of pissed-off undergrads knowing where
you live?”  Anger flooded her veins and the urge to throw up returned,
drenching her in a wave of sweat.  Belial soothed her, caressing her with
his wing.  You’re getting awfully upset, little one.  I think you
should let me handle the rest of this.
    She ignored him, grabbing the edge of the mattress and
clutching it until she felt the springs dig into her fingertips.  If
Belial took control, she’d never find out what they wanted from her
sister.  She used the pain to stay focused, staring into the Russian man’s
inscrutable blue eyes.  “Why do you want Beth?” 
    I don’t think you heard me , Belial said, flicking her
with a wing. 
    Natalie blinked back tears but kept her gaze focused on
Constantine.  “I’m not going to hurt her,” he said.  “I just need
information.”
    “What information?”  Spots danced in front of her eyes,
floating past her like waltzing mushroom caps.  It was Belial, pressing on
her optic nerve. 
    “A man here claims he has a password that allows him to
access Tsar Nicholas II’s funds in the Bank of England.  He said he shared
his information with your sister, who verified its authenticity.  I need
to find out what he showed her.”
    “He lied,” she said.  A drop of sweat rolled into her
eye, burning it with salt.  She blinked it away but when she opened her
eyes, everything had already gone black.  Her fingers and toes tingled and
when she commanded them to move, nothing happened.