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“Our hideout was raided, and she was kidnapped before we could ask that question.”
Trusting my father is difficult for me, but I’m convinced he’s telling the truth now.
“Did you send Chuck Pratchett to find Zara?”
“Who?”
I drag a hand down my face and try to judge whether he’s pretending to be clueless or if he really doesn’t know.
“Come on, Pop. Senator for Nevada. He was at the nightclub when the mayor was assassinated. And now he keeps popping up here and I know he’s the one who tried to ruin Zara’s life today.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. You told me you let Zara go.”
“Yeah, well, I lied.”
“You’re going to destroy this family over some high-class whore?”
I clench my fists, and Owen steps toward me and puts a steadying hand on my shoulder.
“Speak like that about Zara again and it will be the last thing you say.”
Threatening the head of the Irish mafia—father or not—is not a smart thing to do, but in this moment, I don’t give a fuck.
But Jamie just laughs. “You’re a fool my boy, and you always have been.”
The call disconnects, and I stare at the phone for a long time before anyone else in the room speaks.
“Well, that was interesting,” Matteo says. “And informative too. At least now we know someone is targeting the four of us as a group. Who exactly is Renda St. Claire?”
Chapter 24
Zara
“She’sapower-hungrymonster.”
Four sets of eyes whirl to look at me when I speak from the entryway to the den.
Luke stands and comes to stand in front of me. “Flower, what are you doing up?”
He looks down at my outfit and frowns. “Why are you dressed to leave?”
“Because I need to protect myself, and I need to protect you. So, I’m going to get on a plane to London in a few hours and then I’m going to disappear for a while.”
His eyes darken with fury, and he fists a hand into my hair, pulling hard. “Like hell you’ll disappear. What’s gotten into you.”
When I saw the news about Renda’s murder, I knew I had to get out of town or I could be next, although I still have no idea what’s going on. But then I overheard the end of Luke’s conversation with Jamie Bowden, and I knew he was right. This is bigger than it seems, and I can’t watch Luke get hurt because I’m clinging to him.
“Luke, please. You have to let me go. I warned you this wouldn’t last.”
“You’re wrong and I’ll not let you leave.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and try to keep the sadness out of my voice. Leaving is the last thing I want to do, but it feels like my only option. “I was hoping you would drive me to the airport. But if you can’t, I understand. I’ll call Jeanie for a ride.”
My stomach is heavy with dread, and my throat constricts as I wait for his response. But he stares at me for several seconds before he speaks again.
“Jeanie works for me. She wouldn’t take you anywhere.”
I laugh, but deep down I know he’s right.
