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"To what do I owe the honour?" Sarcasm drips from his words.
I should hang up the phone. But I can't.
There's too much on the line.
"I need a favour." I grit the words out.
There's a mocking laugh on the other end. I'm equal parts angry and ashamed. If wind of this ever got to my father, he would have me executed without hesitation.
"A favour?" I can hear the derision in his voice. "You have quite the nerve, Alexander. I'm assuming your father doesn't know about this."
"I'm strapped for time, Vesuvio," I say, taking control of the conversation. "I need a favour. Will you help me or not?"
There's silence. He's considering.
"What do you want?"
I release the breath I was holding. "I need a plane grounded at Manu Forte. Immediately."
"Hm," Vesuvio mutters. "And is this a favour to the Empire, or to you?"
"Me," I say.
I will be the Empire soon.
Vesuvio probably doesn't know that yet. If I put myself on the hook for this, Vesuvio can ask me to do anything in the future. And I won't be able to say no.
But I need Alize back.
Another derisive laugh.
"Che peccato," he says. "Alright, Mr. Duke. You have my word. Who is on this plane?"
"It's a BBJ 777x with no call sign." My mouth is filled with cotton. "My fiancée is on board."
Vesuvio sounds like he's calling someone over. "We'll be in touch."
Then the phone line goes dead.
My whole body is cold.
We're minutes away from Manu Forte now and I just sold myself to the enemy. I'll have to take his word for it that he'll help.
Did I just make the wrong decision?
THIRTY-EIGHT
ALIZE
There'san elephant sitting on my head.
I blink my eyes open to a swaying motion.
Every inch of my body hurts. My palms. The soles of my feet.
My head most of all.
With the pain comes recollection of the past few hours.
