“Yeah, and I’d prefer you gave us back Ms. Lipanski.”
“Apologies. My man was a bit overzealous and the woman’s already dead.” He sends an image, I open it, and my fucking heart stops.
Oh God, no. It can’t be.Throat thick, unable to speak, I hand the phone back to O’Brien.
Adrian, who just entered the room, says in my ear, “Chill out, the dude’s bluffing.”
But what if he’s not?With all the oxygen in the room depleted, I rush past the doors and gasp in the outside air. A torrential rainfall soaks me to the bone and the wind whips, but nothing penetrates the pain in my chest.
I failed her. I messed up.Walking to the side of the building, my ass drops to my heels, I cover my face, and weep.
After a while, Jasper finds me, lifts me into a hug, and pounds my back. “Don’t you dare give up. O’Malley’s an expert negotiator. The asshole only wanted to throw you off your game.”
Nodding, I wipe my sleeve across my face, sniff, and spit. “Does Drac have eyes on her?”
“No, but he’s working on the photo Tommy sent you. It would seem the arms dealer screwed up. The pic contains a bit of bumper belonging to a Lamborghini.”
“No shit.” My hope soars and yet, at the same time, I dread what we might find.
“Yeah, bro. We have her.” Jasper punches my arm and catches my gaze. “There’s just one other thing you should know.”
My held breath releases. “What’s that?”
Grabbing my arm, he rushes me back inside. “Drac found a satellite image of the nukes being hijacked. O’Malley doesn’t have the missiles anymore, the ORA does. That’s why he couldn’t give you the location. The FBI recovered two of the vehicles, but one is still missing. I have more. Want the good news or the bad?”
“Whatever. Let it rip.” Inside now, I drip on the carpet and a young female cop hands me a towel.
After I dry off, I hand it to my brother who does the same. “Our teenage Houdini stowed away in our trunk. Charlie’s here and shared the location of her home’s secret escape tunnel.”
Chapter 20
Ophelia
I wake tied up to a chair. My head throbs, my ribs bite into my insides, and my right leg aches. Alone, wet, dressed only in my undies, I shiver.
After I jump my seat closer to a bright red toolbox, a side door slams, and the evil stepmother stands in front of me. “Where is Charlie?”
“I told you all. I have no idea.” Other than knowing Tommy’s daughter is in Manhattan under the care of the Brennan brothers, I speak the truth.
“Your accomplices are dead, and terrorists have nuclear missiles. Stupid girl. What a waste.” Her thick Russian accent reminds me she is the real enemy.
My eyes water but I won’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Jaw set, I focus on my mission. Once I’m free, I’ll find the nukes, avenge Dean’s death, and kill this bitch if she gets in my way.
“Why am I still alive, Francine?” My voice steady, I hold her gaze.
The first to break eye contact, she glances around the room as if expecting someone to barge in on us any minute. “I need girl.”
My mind wanders to all the conversations I had with Charlie about this woman. “But why? You don’t even like her.”
“None of your business. You tell me where she is, and I will kill you quickly. No more torture.”
What would the teen have that she wants?I think for a second and smile. The kid’s a huge snoop. She must’ve overheard something she shouldn’t’ve.
“Charlie told me all about you.” My smirk reopens my cracked lip, but I don’t care.
Francine’s pursed mouth and red face make the pain worth my while. Whatever my young friend gleaned, it has this woman on the verge of madness.
“The littlecunt. Who else knows?” Leaning over my chair, she digs her claws into my hands, but the tight bindings have numbed them.
