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I thought about what he was saying and fisted my hand around the phone. “Whatever is in the package he sent will tell us.”
“So it has been found.”
“I think so.”
“Did you purposely keep that from me?”
I shook my head. “No. I had an idea and I asked Elizabeth to help me. You don’t need to remind me what I was did was reckless.”
For a few seconds, his anger flared. “Jesus Christ. You will not keep secrets from me.”
“I’m not keeping anything from you. I just have a busybody neighbor who likes to snoop on everyone including lifting their packages. I’d forgotten.”
I couldn’t tell whether he believed me or not by the expression on his face. “Your father played a dangerous game.”
“So are you. Jonas isn’t betraying you. But you’re right that someone is.”
Phoenix narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I remembered something my father said about protecting someone he cared about. That must mean your sister. Just so you know. She doesn’t believe my father had a gambling problem or that he intentionally deceived her.”
“My sister still believes there is good in people.”
“There is, Phoenix. You just need to open your eyes to discover how beautiful life can be.”
While his features softened, I sensed I hadn’t convinced him. I wasn’t entirely certain of it myself any longer.
His jaw was just as tight as before, the hard clench highlighting his chiseled features. As his eyes flashed, I refused to back down. “We need to go to Miami. My friend is terrified of two men. My condo was trashed. I assume the people you contacted didn’t feel it necessary to destroy everything I worked so hard to achieve.”
I could tell the multitude of concerns riding his face had nothing to do with questioning whether the men he’d asked to break into my private space had betrayed him.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Then I’m not telling you where she is.” I hitched up my defiance, never blinking as I stared into his eyes.
Exhaling, he glanced toward the window, very slowly shaking his head. “I won’t have you holding the information hostage.”
“Like you held me hostage?” I regretted the words as soon as I’d tossed them out.
“If you go with me, you will follow every command I give you. This isn’t a game, Whitney. Your act of rebellion won’t help either you or your friend.”
“I understand.”
“Do you really?”
I hated when he tested both my common sense and my loyalty. “I’m no fool, Phoenix. But both you and my father made me a part of this charade. I plan on remaining involved until its conclusion.”
“Charade? If what you say is true, whoever the traitor is exchanged his loyalty for money or power. That makes him a dangerous man. He’ll stop at nothing to finish what he started, including eliminating whoever gets in his way. I don’t want your life risked under any circumstances. You are mine. No man will ever touch you again. God help them if they try.”
I closed the distance, placing my hand on his heart. “We need to do this together. You can trust me.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about,omorfiá. But you already know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
He debated my request for another few seconds then nodded once. “We will leave tomorrow morning. It’ll be safer for all of us.”
There was no doubt he was worried that my friend would be taken, forced to talk. Elizabeth was a strong woman, but there was no chance she could withstand a torturous interrogation. “I won’t fight you. I promise.”
