Alina's POV
My finger hovered over the decline button. But if he was calling now, right after Chloe’s attack… maybe he wanted to gloat. Maybe he’d tell me where she was. Maybe—
I answered.
“Hello, sweetheart,” he said, his warm tone making my skin crawl. “I hope I’m not calling too late.”
“Where is she?” I asked, my voice trembling with anger and fear. “What have you done to Chloe?”
“Such accusations.” He sounded genuinely hurt. “I haven’t done anything. But I have received some… concerning reports. About your friend. About the company she’s been keeping. About the dangerous people who might want to use her to hurt you.”
“You’re the only dangerous person here,” I spat.
“Am I?” He paused, as if carefully considering his words. “Tell me, Alina. Since you decided to run off with those
