“How long were you at this lovely institute of education?” Yes, she’s definitely upset.
“Four years, I graduated with honors.”
“Of course,” she said sarcastically.
“Of course. That’s where I met Yuri, in fact,” I nodded. “Fencing was my only failure. My professor wrote it off because I spent too much time in the infirmary getting blood transfusions. It was a huge pain in the ass.”
Cora finishes her wine in three swallows, not taking her gaze off me. “I have… no response to this.” Handing me her glass, she says, “Would you mind getting another of these for me? I’d like to visit the restroom.”
“Too much, too soon?” I inquire solicitously, and she shakes her head.
“You are both deeply troubled and genuinely alarming,” she sighs. “I’ll be right back.”
“Fine.” I nod at Davide to follow her. Cora having a bodyguard all her life is turning into an advantage because she’s used to being followed everywhere and she doesn’t fight me about it. I’ve noticed that while she is very polite to all the men in our security detail, she avoids getting to know them at all. The loss of her bodyguard Michael must be gutting.
There’s an internal stopwatch that starts ticking when someone under my protection is out of my sight. It starts ticking louder and louder in my head until I know they’re safe and sound again. It doesn’t take long until the insistent ticking away of the minutes forces me to leave mid-discussion with a Boston City councilman.
Striding toward the closest restrooms, I call Carlo, who’s still outside. “Have you seen Cora?
“No,” he says, instantly alert. “I’ll contact Davide. Where are you?”
“Second floor, northeast corner,” I said, an unfamiliar anxiety bubbling up in me.
There’s an indignant yelp from a woman washing her hands as I push through the door, shoving open the stalls. “Have you seen a tall, blonde woman,” I say sharply, “long black dress?”
I can see that she’s gearing up to tell me off, so I shout.“Have you seen her?”She’s rapidly shaking her head when Carlo opens the door.
“Sir, I found Davide. Shot. They stuffed him in the housekeeper’s closet down the hall.”
“Fuck!” I roar, running my hands through my hair. “Lock down all the exits, check the alley, and who do we have who can access their cameras?” I’m already heading for the closest exit and as I slam through it, a photographer yelps and jumps back.
“Did a blonde woman, probably with at least two or three men, just come out of here?” I’m trying to not shout into her face because I can tell she’s seconds from shutting down on me.
“Y- yes, uh-huh,” she stammers, “she didn’t look happy but she didn’t say anything.”
“Which direction?”
She points a shaking finger toward Harbor Shore Drive and we break into a run. There’s a mess of expensive cars, all trying to pick up their wealthy cargo from the event, but no sign of Cora.
Chapter Fifteen
In which there is kidnapping and the 'nuclear option.'
Cora…
I knew it,I think numbly,I knew he couldn’t protect me. No one can.
I’m jammed between two huge men in the back seat of a car that is carefully keeping to the speed limit. The scent of sweat and gunpowder is overwhelming. I’m so grateful they didn’t murder that photographer hanging out by the door. I didn’t dare look at her for fear of drawing their attention. They would have shot that poor girl in a heartbeat.
Oh, god. Did they kill Davide?I’m gritting my teeth against the tidal wave of tears that wants to break over me. Another good person is dead because of me.Please let him be all right.
I don’t know who I’m trying to bargain with. I haven’t talked to God since I realized what Carlton Thorne was, and that I would not be able to do a thing about it. I don’t know if I just don’t believe in Him anymore, or maybe I don’t think He is paying attention.
The direction we’re taking is obvious, toward Logan International Airport. But I know the private airfield is one exit before it because that’s where Dario’s jet landed five days ago when he brought me back.
Where my dad’s is stored.
Is that also where Santos parks his? Because if so, I’m dead. They’ve bound my wrists too tight with the zip ties, the creep to the right of me grinned when he pulled as hard as he could, enjoying my wince.
