Rudy let out an irritated sigh. “Has it occurred to you, Charlotte, that Sasha is simply content? That she’s grateful to me for giving her all the things you couldn’t?”
“Rudy,pleaselet her go. You and I can work something else out.”
“Big day’s coming up, Charlotte. Keep up the good work, and you’ll be reunited with your sister soon enough.”
Charley did her best to keep her face neutral, knowing damn well Rudy had no intentions of returning her sister. He was planning to leave the fucking country right after the heist.
But if he wasn’t going to return her, what the hell was his end game?
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. For now, compulsion aside, it looked like he was keeping Sasha relatively safe.
Charley had no idea how much longer that would last, but it was a start.
“Everything’s on schedule,” she said. “We leave out of JFK next Friday.”
“Excellent. Hey, send me some pineapples.”
Don’t they have any in Brazil?she wanted to ask, but instead she could only nod. “Count on it.”
“Iamcounting on it, Charlotte. Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll be in touch again soon.”
Before she could utter another word, the screen went blank.
The phone slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a soft thunk.
Dorian was at her side in an instant, gathering her into his arms and pulling her to her feet. “You did great, Charlotte. Rudy didn’t suspect a thing.”
“They compelled her. They messed with my baby sister’s mind.”
“I know, love.”
“I just want her back. Why the fuck can’t we get her back?”
“Gabriel’s going to try to trace the location of the other caller. In the meantime, we’ll keep looking through the Estas files until we figure this out.” He slid a finger beneath her chin and tipped her face up to meet his gaze. “My brother was right to tell you not to lose hope. Your sister may be under compulsion, but she can sense your love for her. She knows you’re with her, Charlotte. She knows you won’t stop fighting for her.”
Charley nodded, comforted by his presence as much as his faith in her.
Seeing her sister again—alive and apparently safe—hadbolstered her.
But more than that, it filled her with a cold and deadly determination.
Not just to find Sasha and bring her home safely.
But to end her uncle for good.
I can’t wait to see you burn, Rudy D’Amico…
“Dorian,” Aiden said suddenly, “do you mind if I borrow Charlotte for a moment? There’s something I’d like to show her.”
“By all means.” Dorian pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth. “But don’t be too long. I start to miss her when she’s—”
“Oh, for the love of…” Aiden rolled his eyes. “You two are bloody disgusting. Please, Charlotte, allow me to save you from this Hallmark movie moment before your teeth rot from the nauseating sweetness.”
Grateful for Aiden’s particular brand of humor, Charley laughed and took his offered arm, allowing him to escort her into the small sunroom at the back of the manor.
It was warm and bright, with curved, floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the infinity pool and the rolling hills beyond. Fallen leaves in reds, yellows, and browns carpeted the landscape, reminding Charley of some of her favorite things about this time of year.
Soft flannel shirts.
