Page 70 of Her Courage

"It's Patrice," I interrupted. "It has to be."

"Most likely." Andrei's expression was carved from stone, but I recognized the cold fury simmering beneath. He'd seen this kind of thing before—in his old life. "But we need proof before we move."

The elevator descended, each floor marked by a soft chime that felt like an eternity.

My phone buzzed. A text from Andrei to our group chat.

Andrei: Keeley's been taken. Meeting Kaleb in garage. Will update soon.

Almost immediately, Colby responded.

Colby: What? How? Do we need to come?

Andrei: Not yet. Stay with Lottie. Keep her safe.

Smart. If Patrice was desperate enough to take Keeley, she might try for Lottie next.

The elevator doors opened to the parking garage. Oscar was already there, the Audi running.

"Mikhail called," he said simply as we climbed in. "I'm taking you to Sierra's house."

I nodded, unable to form words past the fury and fear warring in my chest.

Andrei's phone rang. He answered in Russian, his tone clipped. I watched his face, trying to read the conversation.

Whatever Mikhail was saying, it wasn't good. Andrei's expression grew progressively darker, his free hand clenching into a fist on his thigh.

When he finally ended the call, he turned to me.

"Security footage shows a woman matching Patrice's description picking up Keeley," he said. "She used a forged authorization with Sierra's signature. The daycare didn't question it because the signature looked legitimate."

"Of course it did." Patrice had probably practiced it. Studied Sierra's handwriting until she could replicate it perfectly. "Where did she take her?"

"Unknown." Andrei's jaw worked. "But Mikhail's tracking her car. He's got eyes on traffic cameras across the city."

The car couldn't move fast enough. Every red light felt like a personal attack. Every delay another moment Keeley was in Patrice's hands.

My phone buzzed again. This time, an unknown number.

I answered without thinking. "Hello?"

"Kaleb." Patrice's voice slithered through the speaker, syrupy sweet and venomous. "I was wondering when you'd figure it out."

Every muscle in my body locked. Beside me, Andrei leaned closer, his expression lethal.

"Where is she?" I bit out.

"Your niece? She's perfectly safe. For now." I could hear the smile in her voice. "Such a sweet little thing. Looks just like Sierra at that age. My precious little granddaughter."

"If you hurt her⁠—"

"Oh, calm down," Patrice interrupted. "I'm not a monster. I just need you to understand how serious I am."

"About what?" Keep her talking. Give Mikhail time to trace the call.

Andrei had already pulled out his own phone, texting rapidly.

"About getting what I'm owed," Patrice hissed, her sweet facade cracking. "You cut me off, Kaleb. Your own mother. Left me to drown in debt while you play house with your little whore and her other lovers."