Chapter 60
Dutch
TreyandEricarefucking geniuses. Just don’t tell them I said that. They’ll become insufferable to live with.
We moved to the Charon Group’s communal area just before my deadline at four. Susannah made popcorn, because she’s crazy like that, just as Eric hacked into Vincenzo’s smart tv. God, I love technology.
As the television's camera doesn’t light up when it’s in use, Vincenzo is none the wiser that we’re sprawled on the sofas, munching on popcorn as we watch his reactions to our fake bombings and takedowns.
Their news reports are so realistic, if I didn’t know they were fake, I would believe they were real. We time the emails perfectly, my final one a little dig. I’m the last one left that would bother remembering his birthday, and he knows it.
The only time I worry is when we watch him eyeing his gun. I freeze, praying to anything that might be listening that he doesn’t do it. He backs away, and I can breathe again.
He pulls his laptop over, a nasty smile forming on his face. Glancing over at Eric, I raise a brow. In return, he raises his hand, counting backward with his fingers. When he gets to two, he turns his laptop around so we can see the request.
Target:Daniella Isabella Sophia Gianelli
Age:26
Address:Currently Unknown. Suspected Manhattan, NYC
Death Wish:None. To be brought in alive to the address attached.
Timeline:ASAP. Extra cash if completed in the next three days
Status:
“You were right,” Tessa says, leaning over to fist bump me.
I shrug. “We didn’t leave him with any options. He either had to send some of his hired men out to find me or hire Eric and Nate to do it. It was a calculated risk, but he won’t want to give up his guards, especially as he can’t afford to hire more.” I turn to Eric. “What are you waiting for?” He salutes me, then shows me the laptop.
Status:Accepted
“Happy now?”
“Yep.”
“So how is this going to work?” Susannah asks, sitting between the twins. “You’re just going to get dropped off and what? Let Vincenzo take you?” Her eyes are canted in the corners, her mouth turned down with worry.
“I have to. I can’t see any other way. Once I’m in, then the rest of you can stage a jailbreak. We’re going to need to plan this carefully so we all walk away from this alive. I’m not willing to lose any of you–”
“Aw, we love you too Dutch!” Tessa shouts out, breaking some of the tension in the room. I grin back at her, then go back to discussing safety.
We need to be quick, I don’t want to tempt Vincenzo’s temper if we’re late by the three days he wants me delivered. So we need to be fast, but thorough. We need to plan for every eventuality and have backup plans in place should we need them.
One thing I know for sure? In three days’ time, I’ll be my father’s hostage. May the best man win.
Chapter 61
Cruz
Wehaven’tseenVincenzoagain since he locked us in the cells. The more time I’m away from Dutch, the more agitated I feel. The Duke is feeling it too, I think. She paces her cell regularly, her worried gaze often coming to a rest on the other women.
While the others sleep, we sneak out of our cells. The last few nights, we’ve set up a little routine that although doesn’t help the ache of missing Dutch, does satisfy the bloodlust that roars through my veins from the separation.
The Duke waits beneath the space under the stairs while I tiptoe up them, a long whip in hand. When I’m nearly at the top, I climb over the railing, keeping my toes on the outer edges of the stairs. Then I scratch at the door with the whip’s handle until one of the guards gets curious.
It never takes long.
