“Oneof them?”
“He has an accomplice who’s still out there. But the worst part is there’s an entire criminal organization behind him.”
“They’re pedophiles?” she asks softly.
“That too,” I reveal. “But mostly, human traffickers.”
“Children?”
“Yes.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Stay safe. I can’t risk losing you, Lilly.”
“Don’t push me away, please. Don’t send me away from you.”
“Lilly—”
“No, Amos. I’m not running.”
“We’ll talk about this later.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “Now hold me. Help me forget.” She rests her head against my chest. “I’m not afraid for myself, but I need you to promise me something.”
“I don’t know if I can . . .”
“Please,” she pleads, and all I can think is that she might not even be here with me right now. “I need you to be careful. I know you have to hunt them down, but promise me you’ll come back to me—no matter what.”
“Baby . . .”
“Promise. Give me your word.”
“I promise.”
Chapter 56
I spent the night practically on watch. Every few minutes, I’d drift off for a bit, only to wake up again to make sure she was okay. And when the daylight finally spilled into the room, I gave up trying to get any rest.
Looking at her one more time, I press a soft kiss to her shoulder and head to the kitchen to make some coffee.
Like a scene on repeat from a few weeks ago, Ethan’s name starts flashing on the phone screen. I glance at the clock—it’s already nine. I know exactly why he’s calling.
Ramon.
Besides the attempt on his sister’s life yesterday, by now the journalist has probably dropped the bomb on his blog. Even if, by some chance, the pervert has some cops in his pocket, no one will be able to protect him.
Not from the scandal that will follow—and not from me when I carry out his death sentence.
“I’m back,” says Ethan. “What the hell is going on? Where are you?”
“I’ll meet you at our apartment in twenty minutes,” I reply in the same tone, skipping any greeting.
“Where’s my sister? I managed to keep her name and the Greek’s out of the news, but I need to know she’s okay.”
“Lilly’s with me. Safe, sleeping in her own apartment,” I say, because even though his tone pisses me off, I can put myself in his shoes.
I wouldn’t have picked me as her partner either.
