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"Nothing will stop me from trying."
As I stare at her, bound and yet unbroken, I feel a grudging respect for this woman who dares challenge me on my own turf.
“If you want to know about my father, I’ll tell you everything. He’s bad at business and Don Abate is propping him up. Is that what you want to know?”
The tension lessens slightly. "Explain. What do you mean by 'propping up'?"
She purses her lips, her gaze unwavering. "I'm not saying anything more unless you agree to give me Elena. At least take me to her. Let me see her.”
I know why Elena was given to Romeo, but not the details. I consider that I can make a deal similar to the one I have with Elena. I can take Lucia into my fold and in return, get what I need to exact my revenge.
"Take you to her. Not give her to you."
She stares at me with hate. If she could fire lasers from her eyes, I’d be a pile of ash. "Fine."
I rise from the chair. "Untie her." I instruct Donovan without taking my eyes off Lucia.
Donovan moves behind her, flipping open his knife to cut the zip-ties. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea to let her roam free.” He leans forward, his lips close to her ear. “She’s a wild one. Maybe we should keep her on a leash.”
She jerks, giving him a hateful glare over her shoulder. “Toadie.”
He laughs, unbothered by the disrespectful nickname. "I like her. She's got spunk."
I’m annoyed by whatever is going on. “If she wants to see Elena, she’ll behave.”
She stands, rubbing her wrists.
"Let's go. I’ll take you to Elena, and on the way, you can tell me what you know.”
“Fine.”
"Keep an eye on her,” I tell Donovan, though I know he needs no such instruction even on usual days, but especially now that he’s taken with the mouthy woman.
"Always do.” A smirk plays on his lips, but beneath the humor, I detect a desire for her to try something so he can enjoy the thrill of the chase. “Come on, Princess.” Donovan escorts her out.
We ascend the steps and into the alley to my waiting SUV. Donovan drives while I sit in the front passenger seat and Lucia is in back. As we make our way through the city, my phone rings. Liam's name flashes on the caller ID.
“Liam.” I answer.
“You told me to keep tabs on Kate Emerson.”
“Yeah.” God, another woman in Elena’s life is causing me trouble.
“Yes.”
“She's been taken."
"Christ. Any idea who?" My mind races, flipping through the list of enemies, each capable of such a move. Or maybe it has nothing to do with my world and instead is related to her father or her being in a dangerous situation on her own. Hell, maybe she just went on vacation.
"Too early to say. But it's not random—has Fiori written all over it."
“Get your people on it. Meet me at the compound. We’re on our way.” I end the call, trying to decide what this means and if I can keep the news from Elena. No doubt, she’ll blame me.
"Problem?" Donovan asks.
"Kate Emerson. Kidnapped. Probably by Fiori.”
“My father doesn’t traffic?—”
