Page 25 of Deceived Wrath

Oh, god, this can’t be happening. I can’t lose Amber too. She’s just a child. Surely, she hasn’t had a chance to rack up any bad karma yet.

I try redialing Joe’s number, but I’m instantly connected to his voicemail. “You’re a coward, Joe!”

It doesn’t take long for the anger to morph into fear, and once again, I find myself on the floor, wondering how everything went wrong so fast.

Amber must be terrified, and knowing that she doesn’t have her mother to comfort her makes my heart break.

I should be with her right now, not stuck at home. I need to know what is going on, or, at the very least, which hospital she’s at. But if Joe won’t call me back, I’m all out of options.

Unless…

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck…

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I open up my contacts and scroll down to the bottom of the list.

I have to know what’s going on with Amber because not knowing might actually kill me. Besides, I’m already in a hole, so what if I make it a little deeper?

“I hope you’re calling for interview tips,” Lorcan drawls.

“I have a condition.” I try my best to keep my voice steady.

I am in no position to be bargaining with Lorcan Sullivan, but right now he is my only hope of finding out what is going on with Amber. People like him have the power and money to bribe hospital staff for information, and considering the fact that Joe doesn’t think I have a right to know what is going on with my niece, I have no choice but to ask Lorcan for help.

“A condition?”

“Yes.”

“That’s funny. I didn’t think you were in a position to bargain. But call me curious. What is so important that has you calling me for help?”

“I need information.”

“I see…”

“So, if you want me to help spy on Cormac, I’m going to need you to get that information for me.”

“Is that so?”

I screw my eyes shut as I swallow down every curse word I can think of. I can’t believe I’m about to do this, but I guess it’s too late to go back now. My hand has been played. “Yes.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then the deal is off,” I state, though my voice shakes with fear.

“So, we have adealnow? Because I was so sure you spying on Cormac was a way for you to repay your debt to me. I must have gotten myself confused.”

“I’ll make it worth your while.”

“I should hope so, considering it’s your own life on the line.”

I’m practically begging for death at this point, but I don’t care.

My niece could have a fatal heart condition, and I’m not there to even hold her hand.

I know that Carly would never forgive me if I were to stop fighting for her girls, and if it costs me my life, then so be it. Without Amber and Skye, I have nothing left anyway.

“My niece is sick, and I don’t even know which hospital she’s at.” I sound pathetic and desperate, but that’s exactly what I am.

I doubt my words will tug on Lorcan’s heart strings because I don’t think he has any, but it’s worth a shot.