“Jesus,” Luca mutters. “This is insane.”
“The only thing I can’t figure out,” Noah finishes, “is why. What does your dad have on you that you’re doing all of this for him?”
I exhale, dragging a hand down my face. I’ve run out of time to dance around this.
“Gideon has Isobel.”
The world goes dead silent. Even the waves seem to pause.
Luca’s chest rises sharply. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“He has her,” I repeat. “He’s had her.”
“No,” Luca snaps, shaking his head violently. “Daniel has her.”
“He doesn’t.”
Luca’s face twists in betrayal so raw, I’m questioning myself. “You-youknewwhere she was? This whole time?”
“I needed Gideon to believe I was loyal. I needed him to trust mecompletely. I needed access to every part of his empire so I could destroy it, and no one could step up in his place.”
“But Isobel?—”
“He has her locked up and under surveillance. I couldn’t do anything. We were all under surveillance. I couldn’t make a wrong step. If Gideon suspected for even a second?—”
“Oh, fuck off,” Luca roars. “You LET US think Daniel took her. Let us chase bullshit for MONTHS. Let us lose sleep, lose hope. While she was being?—”
His voice cracks.
“God, Jace. What the hell is wrong with you?!” Luca’s eyes widen, and he tackles me into the sand.
“What the?—”
Luca punches me in the face. “What really happened that night Isobel was taken?” he demands, spittle flying, voice shredded with grief and rage.
I can’t answer. I can’t even breathe. Luca punches me again.
“ANSWER ME!” He’s shaking. His fists fly, one after another, and I let him.
“Luca,” Noah steps in, pulling him off of me. Luca is panting heavily. His fury is rolling off of him, and I can’t even blame him.
“Jace.” Noah’s voice is strained, “What happened that night?” he presses again.
I sit up in the sand, spitting the blood out of my mouth.
“Gideon dislocated my shoulder to make sure Dakota went in my place. He had men waiting all around. He gave Dakota something to inject her with?—”
“Dakota?” Luca lets my words sink in. “YOU MOTHERFUCKER!” Luca launches at me and punches me again before Noah can pull him back.
“Luca, let’s go!” Noah pulls him toward the car. “We need to discuss all of this. But you need to get a hold of yourself.”
“Whatever.” Luca shrugs Noah off and heads to the SUV, slamming the door.
Noah helps me up, “Strategically? I get it. I do. Taking down Gideon’swhole operation at once… cutting off all resources, it’s the most effective way to keep him from ever coming after her again.”
“He wouldn’t have stopped. Even if we got her back. He would’ve kept coming after her to get what he wants, and she already has Daniel to deal with.”
“Jace, even understanding logically, doesn’t mean I can stomach it.” His throat bobs. “You let him keep her, and I’m guessing in not the best conditions. She’s been there for months now, Jace. Who knows what damage he’s caused her? If you had just confided in us, maybe we could’ve helped you take him down faster while also saving her.”
