“I told you I won’t promise anything about Chaos. He can’t be ridden.”

“You’d better change his mind. Because if you don’t, I’ll make it my life’s work to hunt down Alisa Flynn and make certain that she suffers for what she did to me.”

It was the one weapon she’d hoped to prevent him from gaining against her, she thought in despair. “That’s an empty threat. You’d do it anyway.”

“Probably, but you might be able to bargain if you give me what I want. You’ll have to try, because I remember how very friendly the two of you appeared to be in that photo. I think you care very much for her. We’ll have to see tomorrow, when you whisper to Chaos that he has to please me.”

“Those people who told you there was no such thing as a horse whisperer were right.” Why was she even trying? She knew it was no use protesting. He would only listen to what he wanted to hear. “I’m good with horses, not a miracle worker. I won’t be able to help you.”

“You will,” he said. “I have faith in you. And I’m afraid I’d consider it a cardinal sin if you betrayed that faith. Don’t do it.” He paused and reached for his phone. “I thought you might need a little encouragement, so I took the precaution of getting Alisa Flynn’s phone number so she can join our party. Would you like to hear her voice? I would.” He was punching in a number with vicious force. “And I want her to hear mine and know what’s in store for her. I want the entire world to know.”

The phone was picked up, and Sasha heard Alisa’s breathless voice. “Sasha?”

“No,” Masenak said. “Sorry to disappoint you. Just a little technical trick I did with my phone to make sure you’d take my call, bitch. I believe you know who this is, don’t you? I put a bullet in you. I assume you’re still at the hospital recovering from it?”

“Masenak.” Alisa’s voice was shaking. “Sasha. Where is Sasha?”

“Why should I answer you? You and Korgan can burn in hell before I let you know anything about that little whore. You think you’ve beaten me? You’ll never beat me. Everywhere you go, I’ll be behind you. You’ll never be sure when I’ll reach out and take you down.” His voice was suddenly heavy with malevolence. “But that won’t be enough. Maybe I should tell you what happened to your Sasha so that you can realize I’ve already made the first installment in payback.” He paused and then said softly, “Pretty little Sasha. Such a pity. The minute I heard all about who you were and what you’d cost me, I killed her.”