Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
"She said every woman should get to decide for herself where she wants to be. I guess she wanted to make sure that I was really with you by choice and not because I didn't feel like I had no other option." She smiles. "I think it was a test."
"For you or me?"
"Both?" She shrugs. "I'm not sure, but I think we passed."
"That's good." I pace to the window, staring out.
"If you're stressing out about telling me that I have to go meet my uncle, I already know," she says softly, stepping up behind me. "I figured that out before we ever left the safehouse, Domani."
"Cazzo." I spin to face her. "I don't want to take you."
"I know, but you have no choice. Neither of us do."
"I won't let him touch you." I press my fingers to her cheek. "I won't let him hurt you, mio sole."
"I know." She pushes her way into my arms, burrowing into me. "Promise me something, Domani?"
"Anything."
"When this is over, we'll go back to your cabin and pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist for a little while. I just want to be with you. No one else."
"I'll take you anywhere you want to go, tesoro. Anywhere."
"To paradise, Domani. I just want to go back to paradise."
Fifteen minutes later, I dial the number that texted me this morning. Finley grips my hand as if she's never going to let it go. Rafe and Mattia sit on the opposite side of his desk, watching.
"It took you long enough to call," Cillian says as soon as he answers. I've never spoken to him, but I know by the way Finley's hand tightens around mine that it's him.
"I didn't see you picking up the phone, either."
"Are we making a trade or not?"
"I want to speak to Coda first."
"That's not on the table."
"It is if you ever want to see your niece again," I taunt. "Because we aren't trading jackshit until I know that he's alive and well."
"Fine." A rustling comes down the line.
"Hey, brother," Coda says. He sounds like shit, but he's alive.
"Hey. Do you remember the night the reginetta came into our lives? You said something after we met her for the first time. What did you say, brother?"
"Donna buona val più d' una corona."
"Yeah," I say softly. "A good woman is worth more than a crown." He's alive, then. This isn't some trick or recording Cillian is trying to pass off as the real thing. Coda is still breathing. Now, we need to keep him that way. "We're coming for you, brother. Just hang tight."
"I want to talk to my niece," Cillian demands.
I nod to Finley, silently reminding her that I'm right here. We knew he'd want to hear from her and that she'd have to convince him that I've been holding her against her will.
"Hi, Uncle Cillian," she says, her voice shaking like a leaf.
I exhale a tiny breath when I hear it. I fucking hate that she's scared. But the fact that she is works in our favor. For all he knows, she's terrified because I have her, not because she's speaking to him. As far as he knows, she was taken against her will. He has no real reason to believe that she was trying to escape. She's always been obedient, always played along with his rules. He tied her up simply to remind her that he could.
"Finley. We've been worried about you. Are they treating you well?"
"Yes, uncle," she whispers. "I want to go home."
"Soon, a leanbh."
"That's enough," I growl, ending the conversation before she has to say anything else and risks saying too much. "If you want her back, I want Coda. And then you walk the fuck away. No bullshit."
"No bullshit? You're the one who came into my home and took my niece," he growls. "I'm the wronged party here."
"We both know everything about you is wrong, Brennan. Including your presence in this city. You're here because we allow you to be here. Don't push us. If you want her back, you'll be at the storage facility at the harbor at midnight."
"Is this the part where you tell me to come alone?" he asks, cold amusement lacing his voice.
"I don't care who you bring. If you're such a coward that you need to surround yourself with an army to make the trade, then by all means, be a fucking coward. But be there at midnight, or you'll never see her alive again." I disconnect without giving him an opportunity to say anything else.
"Cristo, Domani," Rafe growls. "Did you have to taunt him? The last thing we need is for him to show up with a goddamn army."
"Weak men will do anything to avoid looking weak," I murmur, lifting Finley out of her chair into my lap. I don't care who is watching. My wife needs comfort, and I'll provide it. "He won't bring an army. He knows it's what we expect."