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“You sure?”
“I can’t be certain, but if they did, I’d know by now. Word gets around fast in the city, you know that.”
“You think someone might cave?”
“I think he’s flashing a lot of money around and someone might want to take him up on it. Rumor has it, he’s starting to make inroads. A few people hinting you should have taken his deal. You be careful out there.”
“Anything else?”
“He’s pissed, Marco. Word is he’s put a hit out on you.”
“Won’t do him any good once the marriage is sorted.”
“He’s willing to pay half a million to any man who can find you before then.”
“He’s getting desperate, thinks money can buy him all the answers.”
“It normally does.”
I ignore that. “You arranged things yet?”
“Funerals are in two days. All at the same ceremony, so you’re not too exposed. Wedding’s two days after that. You sure you want to attend the funeral?”
“You think I’m a coward?”
“No, I’m thinking you might want to stay hidden for now, that’s all. Come out once the girl’s pregnant and the commission will have got your back.”
“I’ll be at the funeral. You make sure the wedding’s arranged.”
“Make sure you’re nice to her.” He goes silent for a moment. “She won’t walk down the aisle if you’re threatening her.”
“She will walk down the aisle or she’ll die.”
“She dies and you don’t get your revenge.”
“Piper’s line still dies out.”
“Will that taste as sweet as sending his innocent daughter back to him with a blooming belly and your laughing face in her heart every time she cries?”
“Your point being?”
“Don’t kill her. Use her.”
“Make sure everything is ready. Send me the details of the funeral tonight. I’ll meet you there tomorrow.”
I hang up the phone. I know what he means. If I pretend to be nice to her, it’ll make it all the sweeter when I send her back to her father. I don’t just fuck up his chance of an heir. I fuck up his empire too. The cartel have been promised her as a bride. They’re going to be very unhappy when they find out she’s married me.
I look up. Anna is standing in the doorway. “How much did you hear?” I ask.
She looks pale. Her eyes are wide. “I walk down the aisle or I die,” she says. “Are you really going to kill me?”
“No one will hurt you as long as you do as you are told.”
“Please, don’t kill me.” She sounds scared for the first time. Properly scared. She’s starting to grasp the kind of man I really am. “I’m not my father,” she adds. “I didn’t have anything to do with what happened to your family.”
“That’s too bad,” I reply. “Rotten luck is what got you in my crosshairs. What’s that in your hand?”
She places a figurine on the table. It’s Sophie’s little princess toy. “I thought you’d want it back,” she says quietly.
