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There is an overwhelming need inside me to stay and finish the job, but I already realize I’m not prepared for that. The gun on my back doesn’t have enough range, and I wouldn’t get close enough to use my knife to slay a tyrant. I must bide my time and plan my attack, because I am weak when I must be strong.
I hear a vehicle approaching, and my heart drops as I shrink against the protective walls of a nearby building. I see a truck heading my way and recognize the wording on the side and stepping out, I hold up my hand in a desperate plea for help. The truck screeches to a halt and the driver peers out in surprise. “You ok, darlin’?” His face is a picture of concern and I say tearfully, “Can I beg a ride into town?”
“Sure, hop in.”
As I scramble for the door, I am so grateful for truckers because they have just about seen everything in life and a woman dressed like fucking Cinderella, crawling around a disused dock in the early hours, is probably not the most astonishing thing he has ever seen.
The door closes and I reach for my belt and as I snap it in place, his chuckle almost makes me smile. “Fuck me, darlin’, you’ve got some balls hanging out here. What happened? Did your carriage turn into a pumpkin at midnight or something?”
“Something like that.” I smile with relief and as I slide my feet into the heels, he laughs out loud.
“Where’s your glass slipper, darlin’? Prince Charming won’t be able to find you without that.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.” I smile back and he grins. “His loss, darlin’. Here.”
He reaches behind him and tosses me a blanket that he obviously uses when he grabs some sleep and as I snuggle into it, I say gratefully, “You’re not such a bad Prince Charming yourself.”
“Tell that to the missus. She looks at me as if I’m Voldemort most days.”
He winks. “So, where do you want taking?”
“Home please.”
“The castle?” he jokes.
“Something like that.”
When I tell him exactly where home is, he whistles. “I take it back darlin’, you know exactly what living with Voldemort is like.”
“He’s not so bad.”
His laughter makes me smile. “Like I said, you’ve certainly got balls.”
As we leave the docks behind, I smile to myself, wishing I could see the look on Carlos’s face when he discovers his bird has flown the cage.
CHAPTER34
LEO
There was no sign of Chastity anywhere. My men searched the entire area and questioned everyone, and nobody gave us any information. I even checked the security cameras, but there was nothing. It’s as if every trace of her was erased, and that tells me everything I need. Carlos has her because if she was here, there would have been some trace of her. He’s a master at a cover up and will have been two steps ahead of me all the time and the frustration is tearing me up inside. Where is she?
Ryan is worried and I’m guessing because everything is exploding around us, and he hates the unknown. He says angrily, “I don’t like this. I’m guessing Matteo’s sniper was a distraction. Carlos wanted to kill two birds with one stone, as they say, and the commotion would be the distraction he needed.”
“And revenge for his son at the same time. The fucking bastard.”
I head out of the hotel with Ryan close beside me and say angrily, “I need to check on my brother. Inform the men to keep on searching for Chastity. She must be somewhere, and that bastard Matasso knows where. Follow him and you’ll find her.”
Ryan nods and calls his captains to inform their soldiers of my instructions. As we head at speed to the hospital, I think hard because knowing Chastity, she is not going to go down without a fight, even if he’s taken her hostage. She’ll need back up when that happens because Matasso has an impressive army surrounding him, and I need to push my fear aside and be the man she needs right now.
We reach the hospital and crowd into the emergency room on one big wave of dark menace.
“Matteo Ortega.” I snap to the woman on the desk, and she opens her mouth to brush me off and I snarl, “Where the fuck is he?”
I stare at her menacingly and the fear that flares in her eyes reminds me what a bastard I am and Ryan, always the calm voice of reason, says smoothly, “If you don’t mind, ma’am, we would like to see Mr. Ortega and would appreciate your cooperation.”
Her gaze tears from mine and as he smiles, I notice her relax a little and silently thank my right-hand man.
“Through the double doors and turn left. There’s a family room. The doctor will find you when he’s out of surgery.”
