Chapter 20 · The Collector

The door slammed open before I could answer Lea's question.

Viktor stood in the doorway, flanked by two operatives in tactical black. His smile was the kind you'd see on a man who'd just won a bet he'd been waiting years to collect.

"Mark. Lea. So glad you made it."

I stepped in front of Lea without thinking. My hand went to my waistband, but the gun wasn't there. Viktor's men had already swept the room with their eyes, cataloging exits, angles, threat levels. Professional.

"Where is she?" I said.

Viktor tilted his head. "Who?"

"Ava. You took her three loops ago. Don't play dumb."

His smile didn't move, but something shifted behind his eyes. Interest. Maybe surprise. "Three loops," he repeated slowly. "That's specific."

Lea's hand touched my shoulder. Light. Steadying. "Mark, what's he talking about?"

"He knows," I said, keeping my eyes on Viktor. "He's known the whole time. Haven't you?"

Viktor gestured, and his men stepped aside. "Come. I'll show you."

I didn't move. Every instinct I had screamed trap.