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I lean over and whisper in her ear. “I need proof that Maddie isn’t hurt.”
Laughter escapes her as she releases my hand and playfully pats my leg. “I bet you do.”
My jaw clenches as I growl. “What the fuck have you done?”
Slowly, she turns her head and looks me in my eyes but lowers her voice. “What have you done? Fucking her behind my back after I’ve warned you to be careful wasn’t a logical decision. The last thing you need is any more distractions, considering you’re about to be a father to twins. Your problem is you don’t know how to listen, Liam. This isn’t a fucking game, but you acted as if it was. Instead of being smart and thinking with your head while your life and all your friends’ lives are on the line, you’ve allowed your dick to call the shots. That all ends now.”
Her words are like poison running through my veins.
“So you know where she is?”
The maniacal smile on her lips is frightening. “Maddie and I had a chat before she left.”
I narrow my eyes. “You lay a finger on her, and you’ll be sorry.”
“Threaten me again, and you’ll be the one who’s sorry. And let me remind you that you have zero power here. You’ll get more information about her when you’ve earned the privilege. As of right now, I owe you nothing, and you owe me everything. You’ll have the chance to prove yourself when we’re with my family this afternoon, but so far, you’ve done nothing but compromise everything like a fucking idiot. I really thought you were smarter than that, Liam. You’re a true disappointment.”
I pull away from her and nearly bite off my tongue I’m so infuriated, but it was the confirmation I needed. While I suspected Victoria, because it’s typical of her, I also understood how angry Maddie was. There was always the slight chance she had left on her own.
“Where did you send her?” I finally ask, not giving up.
She chuckles. “You’ll never find her, Liam. Never. Not even your bounty hunter skills will help you track her down. But know she’s in a better place than that dump of a house you all live in. And maybe I’ll eventually let her go…or not. Your actions will determine how this ends. She might not make it out alive, but that’s up to you.”
“You’re a bitch,” I say loud enough for only her to hear.
She laughs. “I know.”
I nearly grind my teeth flat by the time the plane lands. Our bags are loaded into a large SUV, and we climb inside. Vegas used to be a city that brought me joy and hope, and maybe a little relief from the everyday grind of tracking people, but now, it’s my own personal hell on earth. When this marriage is over, I don’t think I’ll ever return to Sin City. It’s been tainted by the O’Learys and too many bad memories for me to ever enjoy it again.
The truck slows, then stops. After I grab our shit, we take the elevator up to her penthouse. It’s squeaky clean, as always, mainly because her maid does a great job. Victoria doesn’t lift a pinky; instead, she uses her daddy’s money for tasks that are below her.
She sits on the couch and pats the seat next to her.
“We need to discuss what’s going to happen in a few hours,” she says, showing off her pearly whites.
I remain standing. “Go on.”
“My father has decided he wants the family together tonight for dinner. Everyone will be there. Well, those of importance. I’d like to make the official announcement about the babies then.”
“Figured as much,” I state dryly.
“But I need you to step up your excitement about being a father because you’ve failed to convince me so far.”
“And you need to confirm Maddie is okay, but you refuse.”
A roar of a groan echoes through the living room. “Are you going to play along, or do I need to use force? I know your girl is a dancer. A broken ankle might do her some good and prove to you I’m not fucking around.”
Holding out my hands, I surrender. She knows Maddie is my weakness, and she’ll use her against me every chance she can. “Fine. I’ll do whatever you want,” I finally say. My heart beats erratically at the thought of what she’s capable of doing.
“Very good.”
I want to slap the smug grin right off her face.
“I’d like you to wear your Armani suit. I bought you a green shirt to match my dress. I’ve also hired a photographer to be there because I told Daddy I wanted family photos. However, my mother won’t be available because she had a fundraiser to attend in the morning in New York. It was a who’s who type of affair.”
