“Money I have. What I don’t have is a safe landing spot for the shipment. Make the fucking call.”
In my ear, I hear Leon’s sharp intake of breath.“Holy shit.”
I take that as permission to leave, hurrying back toward the staircase before anyone can notice me missing.
Only to run straight into someone at the top of the stairs. “Oh! Excuse me,” I say automatically.
Hands dig into my shoulders as they stand me back up. “The hell are you doing up here?”
I blink up. Red tie. Ivan.
“Get the FUCK out of there.”
“Looking for the bathroom.” Fuck, fuck, fuck. “Have you seen Carmen? I was chatting with this gorgeous blonde guy earlier…hey, doyouknow if he’s single? Tall, dark suit. Fuck-me-eyes?”
He shoves me to one side, clearly unamused by the conversation. “The upper floors are off-limits. Please bear that in mind as you enjoy the rest of the party, Miss McDonald.”
“Call me Red!” I sing back as I make my descent, purposefully stumbling once or twice, trying to cover for the fact my voice is shaking.
10
LEON
The video feed cuts out like it’s fucking amateur night right as Ivan confronts Mia.
It takes everything within me not to punch a hole through my monitor.
“FUCK!” I shout into the empty house.
Vaguely, I’m aware that it had been a smart decision to stay away from the Cartel’s mansion tonight. If anyone discovered me, Mia’s cover would have been blown.
But right now, I’m struggling to see a single merit in this line of thinking. I should be storming the place right now. I should get into my car and drive and drive until I have her in my sights. I need to make sure that she’s okay. Screw everything else.
All I have is a pathetic little pulsing dot on my screen. It’s a tracker, not a heart monitor, but I still watch it as if it indicates a sign of life.
I wonder if I can convince her to wear a heart monitor next time.
My hand instantly begins to pull on my own hair, sharply tugging me back to reality.
Next time?There shouldn’t have been afirsttime.
I should never have agreed to this. I should never have allowed her to put herself in danger, should never have asked her to go looking for more information.
I should have charged the fucking camera for her.
Now, there’s nothing I can do but wait. I think I might go insane.
I swipe up on my phone screen and dial Dante.
“I’ve lost eyes on her,” I bark as soon as he picks up. I hope that the strain in my voice is less apparent down the phone line.
It had been necessary to tell him about the marital arrangement with Mia, although from his subdued reaction, I’d say he already had an idea of what was going on. After all, he did sign the alliance papers.
“Shit,” Teo’s second responds instantly. “I’m not spotting any unusual movement. Rotation of staff has been consistent at this point, but I won’t know if there’s been any disruption to their shift pattern for another…three minutes and twenty seconds.”
“What if she doesn’t have three minutes?”
Dante shuffles on the other end of the line. “What did you last see?”
