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My hands shook as the note fell to the floor. My mother had sacrificed Elvira. The sister I never had. Her selfishness staggered me. Mamá only cared that they never findwhat was most vulnerable. Someone her associates could use against her. A weakness to exploit.
Me.
Whit bent and scooped it up, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“What is it?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Nothing, I—”
“Tell me.” Panic clawed its talons into me. I couldn’t imagine where my cousin could be in a town I barely knew. Some of my terror must have shown on my face because Whit bent his knees, his blue gaze now level with mine. I didn’t try to hide my fear.
He was silent, clearly worrying about something.
“Tell me,” I demanded again.
“I wondered if they meant the warehouses by the docks,” he said slowly. “I know there’s been smuggling activities there from when Ricardo had me snooping around to see what your mother was up to.”
“Whit, I have to find a carriage. I’m going after her.”
Whit rarely shouted but when he did, it made my ears ring. “Absolutely not!”
“They wantme,” I said. “Don’t you understand? Read my mother’s note again. She must have had one of her associates mark Elvira in some way. Last night, we wore nearly identical dresses. Anyone could have confused us.” A horrifying thought struck me. “The man she was dancing with… he might be working with my mother…” My voice trailed off. I gripped the lapel of Whit’s jacket. “She’s in danger, but it ought to be me.”
“So you’re going to take her place?” Whit asked. “You could die.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. My mother will hear of what’s happened, and she’ll come for me. I’m her weakness. Look how far she went to warn me.”
“Yourmother? Don’t be naive!” Whit shouted again. “Lourdes would allow your cousin to die. She probably killed your father and then lied to you about it. She’s heartless and conniving and manipulative. Why do you think her enemies had to resort to kidnapping? She must have done something unforgivable, and they want whatever shestolein exchange for your life.”
“You’re talking about the artifacts.”
His jaw locked. “I’d bet you every pound I have that she double-crossed them.”
“My mother might let Elvira die for me, but I can’t do that. I’m not my mother.”
Whit gripped my arms, his face wild and desperate. “I won’t let you do this.”
“I don’t answer to you.”
“You don’t answer to anyone, which is part of the issue,” Whit snapped.
“I wasn’t aware I had issues.”
“Of course you do, everyone does.”
“Well, then what are yours?” I asked. “Actually, don’t bother. I know them.”
“I’m sure that you do,” he growled. “I haven’t hidden them from you.” He released me in frustration, and threaded his hand through his tousled hair. “We need to involve your uncle. He has to know about this.”
“Fine,” I said with a heavy sigh. “Go and leave a note for him at the front desk.”
Relief loosened the fear etched across his face. He nodded and took my hand. “I promise we’ll do everything we can to get her back.”
I forced a smile. “I believe you.”
Whit squeezed my hand and left, the door closing behind him with a quiet click. I counted to ten, and then followed him out, careful to keep my distance. My uncle would no doubt try to help my cousin, but it wasmemy mother’s associates wanted. There was no way around that.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Whit stride to the front desk. I quickly darted across the lobby and then raced down the front terrace steps, my hand already high up in the air, summoning a cab.
