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They say you should give yourself grace. Remember that you’re only human. I don’t have the time for that luxury right now.
What I need is rage at Arran and at myself to fuel me. To give me the power I lack in this weakened state to do what I have to.
It works, and I slam my foot against the pedal and go up ten miles per hour. Faster, but not so fast that a cop will pull me over. A traffic stop isn’t something I can afford right now.
As I fly down the interstate, I imagine how angry Arran will be with me. How angry they willallbe with Carina and Emily for keeping my exit a secret.
Then I imagine them working together as the alliance Luca and Carina want. A powerful well-oiled machine that could get to Clive before Gideon lets us go. If that happens, Maisie and I are dead.
Shit.
I’m a mile from the TK Warehouse, parked behind a convenience store, staring down at the phone. The moment I call, the timer will be set in motion.
I climb out of the SUV and hide the phone under one of the dumpsters. It looks pretty empty, so with luck, the waste department won’t be back for a few days.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper to the wind. I’m sorry, but I can’t risk Maisie’s life anymore. I’m sorry if this costs a man his life. I’m sorry that Arran will possibly hate me even more than I hatehimat this moment.
Arran believes Daddy had his sister killed. Now he’ll think I killed his father. He’ll likely want revenge for that too. But that’s a worry for another day.
I get back into the vehicle and brace myself for what comes next.
* * *
The warehouse is located on the outskirts of town, on a street where most of the businesses are manufacturers or sell building supplies. It’s not a very busy place. In fact, I only pass three cars on the way.
I pull into the parking lot and drive around the building as I was instructed, stopping just outside a cargo door in the back. Although there’s no sign of anyone being around, I get the sense of being watched.
Scanning the area, I see why. High, on each rooftop corner and over the three entrances visible, there are cameras. And they’re all directed at me, the red flashing lights indicating they’re on.
Straightening my spine, I wait. Ten minutes later, a black Bentley arrives, coming around to park beside me. When I glance through the rearview mirror, I realize that two black SUVs have also shown up. One pulls up right behind me, the other, on my passenger side, completely blocking me in.
Several men dressed in suits step out of their vehicles and stand in that position guards always tend to get in, with their legs spread shoulder-width apart and their hands clasped in front of them. They’re armed too and make no attempt at hiding the gun hilts poking through their coats or hanging from their belts.
Once they’re in place, Gideon emerges from the Bentley, dressed to kill in a powder-blue button-up shirt rolled up at the sleeves and black slacks, looking very much like the billionaire devil he is. It surprises me to see him, because I would have assumed it’d be too risky. He comes to my door and opens it. A grins spreads over his handsome face when he sees me. “Imogen, so nice to see you. It took you long enough.”
“It’s Skye.”
“Ah, yes, Skye. I apologize.” He extends his hand to me and assists me down from the high seat. Then he makes a gesture to one of his men.
The bulky guard stands behind me and begins to pat me down. First my arms, then my legs and back. When he’s satisfied that there’s nothing on me, he searches the car.
“I wasn’t expectingyouto show up,” I tell him. “Figured you’d meet me at that dingy hole you’re keeping my sister in.”
He laughs. “It’s not that dingy. Besides, I knew you wouldn’t try to trick me. You’re too clever for that. That, and I’m sure that by now, you’ve figured out who murdered your father?”
I narrow my gaze on his. “What do you know about that?”
His steel-blue eyes glitter with amusement. “Noah is good, but he fucked up. A cameradidcapture his profile. I had it deleted, of course. The game wouldn’t be as fun if he was behind bars.”
“A picture of Noah isn’t enough to prove it had anything to do with Arran,” I argue pointlessly.
“No. But don’t forget that I’ve been a part of this game a lot longer than you have. I can see all the puzzle pieces from my position.”
The guard comes around the car. “It’s clean, boss.”
“Good. Now shall we go? I’m dying to know everything you’ve learned about Clive’s whereabouts.”
I dig my heels in when he tries to guide me toward the Bentley. “You’re taking me to where Maisie is, right?”
