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He said nothing for a full five seconds. “This is all about a vendetta.”
“It would seem so. Rodriguez is also making a move. I’ll be returning to New York, but we need to hunt him down before he returns to Colombia.”
“I’ll take care of it. What have you done, brother? I know you too well. You never recovered after Annie’s death. What haven’t you told me?”
He’d paid more attention than I’d thought.
I debated my answer, but it came easily. “I fell in love, and I have no intentions of losing her.”
“Then you have my blessing. Concentrate on whatever you need to do to keep her safe. I’ll handle Wallace’s family as well. Just get back here in one piece.”
Perhaps my brother cared for me after all.
“That’s what I have planned.”
Sadly, the odds were against us. Us. As if Eden and I were in a relationship. Was it possible she’d been conning me all along?
Visions of the wretched day played out in my mind, echoes of Annie’s wail driving me just over the edge where light and darkness creates shadows, allowing demons to pass. I’d faced far too many of them during the last decade, often uncertain I could tell the difference between reality and the haunting fog that continually trailed behind me.
I sped through the streets, lights rushing by the windows. When I approached the gallery, I noticed a single light was on inside. After parking, I moved toward the front door. At least it was locked. There was no sign of anyone. I moved around the back, pulling my weapon into my hands as I scanned the street. Devon wouldn’t be so bold as to take her from here. However, we couldn’t return to the house. I couldn’t risk he’d had one of his men watching me the entire time.
The back door was unlocked, the space darkened. I moved through the area, exiting in the main gallery. When I heard a slight noise, I shifted closer to the front.
Then I sensed her presence. As I turned around, I took a deep breath. The moment she tensed, a wave of desire rushed through me.
“Hello, Carmella.”
She said nothing at first, but I could tell she’d been expecting me. Perhaps she’d wanted me to find her, finishing another level of the game. I couldn’t risk keeping her here but for so long, but she needed to learn the truth in order to begin trusting me.
If that was possible.
After what seemed like an eternity, she turned around, studying me in the light. She was by far the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. As I looked into her eyes, I realized how much pain she’d gone through over the years. Devon had destroyed everything he’d touched.
Including his own niece.
“Did you kill Talon?” she asked the question with demand in her tone, but terror in her eyes.
“No, Carmella. He was found dead in his apartment, an email to you on his computer.”
She had no idea whether she could believe me or not. Her mouth pursed, her body trembling as she blinked several times.
“You sent me the roses several weeks ago. Didn’t you?” Her demand was stronger, her face contorting from confliction of how she felt about me.
“Did you enjoy your gifts?” I took a step closer.
“They were a warning.” She took a step away.
“No, sweet Carmella. They were a promise and as I told you from the beginning, I always keep them. My word is sacred to me. Just like you are.”
She looked away briefly, dragging her tongue across her lips. “What do you want?”
“We need to leave. You’re in danger.” She seemed amused, as if she’d known that all along.
“From you.”
“No, not from me.”
“Just get away from me.”
