I raise both my hands, eyes wide. The last thing we need is to fight amongst ourselves. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that so plainly. Ryan, I don’t believe for a second that she would betray us. I was simply listing the options for why she’s not amongst the others.” Turning to Cruz, I pat him on the arm, but he’s still glaring daggers at Ryan. “Cruz, it’s okay, he’s just upset. Please sit down.”
It takes him a moment, but he finally relents, and I let out a deep breath. Unfortunately, the fact is that none of us know The Duke all that well. She’s an extremely private person who doesn’t talk about herself often. Nate and Eric know her best, but they’re not back until tomorrow.
As much as it pains Ryan to do so, we put aside thoughts of The Duke for now and get to work on the information Ivan provided. We’re able to match descriptions to all of Zach’s team. My chest feels tight and icy, as if an icicle is lodged in my heart. Ryan whispers that one of the members had recently had a baby, and I don’t envy the phone call he’ll have to make.
The Duke’s men are harder to place as they tended to keep to themselves. Her network is vast; she has people working for her spread throughout the country. We don’t know for sure how many she took with her on this assignment, if she called in help, sent some home—there’s no way to know. Zach had a team of ten men and women that went with him, which leaves seven more.
We argue a bit over the descriptions, but in the end, we can’t be certain of any. “The Duke had six men with her on the plane. Carl, the mole, was killed, leaving five. But there are seven more bodies, leaving two unaccounted for. If The Duke brought two more men in, I wonder if there are more that haven’t been caught?” Kian says.
“Unfortunately, unless one of them comes forward, or The Duke shows up, there’s no way to know,” Ryan answers.
I nibble my lip. “It’s too bad we didn’t think of trackers sooner. Then we’d know where she is.”
“I think it’s better that she and her people don’t know about them. If your father were to get his hands on you, at least he wouldn’t know we can find you,” Cruz argues, speaking up for the first time.
Jase nods in agreement. “I think Cruz is right. It may not be much, but it’s something. And I’ll take any advantage over Vincenzo we can get.”
He has a point.
“Do you think we should search her room? See if there’s anything that could help?” Kian inquires.
Pursing my lips, I glance down at the papers on the table. “They haven’t been back since they left, so there probably won’t be anything, but it won’t hurt to look.”
“We should also check the safe house they were staying in,” Jase says. “If there’s a possibility she brought new people in, they wouldn’t necessarily know about us or where we live. They might still be at the safe house, unaware of what’s happening.”
Cruz nods. “I agree. It can’t hurt to check. If nothing’s there, fine. If there is, it might help you to find your friend, if she is in trouble.”
After we all agree, Kian, Cruz, and Jase leave to check out the two apartments The Duke and her men were using, leaving me and Ryan alone. He pushes his chair back and steps over to the couch closest to the fire, collapsing onto it with a weary sigh.
The guilt I pushed down earlier rears its ugly head. I can’t imagine being in Ryan’s position. Having everyone that works for him looking to him for leadership at a time where he probably just wants to be alone.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” I murmur as I place a hand on his shoulder. “For Zach and his team. It’s my fault.”
“I’m the one that sent them out. If anyone is guilty, it’s me.”
“It’s just as hard for me not to blame myself as it is for you. Our actions may have contributed to their deaths but make no mistake, Vincenzo is the guilty one, not us. And Ryan, wewillmake him pay. For everything he’s done.”
With those words, I leave him to his thoughts, hoping Jase and Kian will keep him company if he needs it.
Chapter 46
Vincenzo
Three Days Ago
Ipullupmypants in front of the mirror, the king-sized four-poster bed reflected in the background, the blonde woman laying on top of it still asleep.
Harsh red slashes line her wrists where she had fought against me, the thick hemp rope gouging her soft skin. Similar marks line her ankles, her legs spread wide, cunt on display for anyone who walks in to see.
This one had been gift-wrapped nicely for me, delivered by someone she shouldn’t have trusted. Everyone knows money is king; anyone’s loyalty can be bought. I have to give it to her though; she’s been remarkably close-lipped. She’ll make an excellent addition to my harem, where I’ll break her quickly enough.
Now
Staring out the window, I look down at all the busy little ants going about their day. The sad thing is, they don’t even know they’re ants. Ignorant and clueless, living their little lives, until someone like me comes along and crushes them. I wonder, as they look up at the shadow coming down on them, if they then understand how insignificant they are.
Striding over to the liquor cabinet, I pour myself two fingers of whiskey, downing it in one gulp. The loss of my shipment is regrettable. I had buyers already lined up, but in this line of business, you have to expect some losses. It’s harder to get decent product after Daniella and her friends killed off most of my trafficking organization.
Bitch.
