The phone jangled, startling her into dropping a can of coconut milk, which rolled under a counter. She clapped a hand to her chest and glanced at the clock. Her last group of moms and kids had just left Familia. Had someone forgotten something?
The phone rang again, way too loud in this space. She ran to the office and grabbed it. Too late. Of course.
She checked the number. Who was that? Not an area code she knew.
It rang again just after she’d set it down. This time, she snapped it up. “Familia, this is Abby.”
“Ang—Sorry. Abby.”
“Uh…” Her fingers and toes tingled. No one knew her real name. “You must have the wrong—”
“It’s Leo. Listen, I can’t get through to anyone else and they’re closing in fast, but it’s the virus.” Something moved on the other end. A scuffle of some sort and then Leo was back on. “Shit. They’re coming. Listen, tell Eric. And Ford. Tell them all. There’s something about the virus you need to know.”
Something banged—loudly. Then again and again, the pops so familiar that Angel had to fight not to duck for cover.
“I’m listening, Leo.” She squeezed the phone in her hand. “I’m here.”
“Ford was right about the virus,” she whispered. “It’s deadly. But it can also…” Another loud pop, this one followed by a crash.
“Leo. Leo!” The line was dead.
Angel hit Redial and raced to the kitchen, where she grabbed her cell phone and tapped out a quick message to Ford.
At her ear, the phone rang once, again, and finally someone picked up.
“Leo, you—”
“’allo.” It was a male voice. “With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I’m the man who just took down your pilot friend.” He huffed out an audible breath. Something beeped in her ear and he spoke again, sounding exceptionally satisfied. “Shame. Had quite a way with an aircraft, she did.” Another annoying beep and he sucked in a breath. “Ah! Grand. And now, love, I’ve got your number, too. All right, then. Afraid I’d better go.” His voice lowered, quieted, going from friendly to menacing. “Don’t bother looking for her. There won’t be anything left for you to find.”
Familia’s front door opened and Ford stepped in just as the man hung up. He froze as soon as he saw her expression, then rushed to her, instantly concerned. “What’s going on?”
“Leo’s in trouble.” She sank to the floor, numb. It was all starting again: the fear, the violence, the uncertain future. She looked up at Ford. “And I think we’re too late to help.”
Acknowledgments
Thank you, above all, to Mary Altman, who has carved, shaped, sculpted, and scoured this book into what it is today. You are amazing.
The wonderful crew at Sourcebooks is, as always, a pleasure to work with. Thank you for all your hard work.
To my lovely beta readers, support network, and author friends Amanda Bouchet, Molly O’Keefe, Alleyne Dickens, Jennifer Sable, Kasey Lane, Jennifer Sable, Madeline Iva, Callie Russell, and Andie J. Christopher. Without you, this book would never have happened.
Merci, Arnaud. Je t’aime.
A million thanks to Jake Cerese and Kate Claeys, owners of the Stargazer Inn and Kerouac’s, in the heart of Nevada’s Great Basin. Your insight into life as a cook at the South Pole was invaluable. Thank you to Tobi Doyle for your guidance and perspective on viruses, among other things. I have so much more to learn, but you set me on the right path. And finally, my apologies to those Antarctica experts out there. I’ve moved mountains for this book, dug crevasses, and created icefalls, all for the sake of the story. I hope you don’t mind that I messed with the Ice.
To my readers: you are the best. Thank you for coming on this journey.
About the Author
Adriana Anders is the award-winning author of the Love at Last series and Blank Canvas series.Under Her Skin, aPublishers WeeklyBest Book of 2017 and double recipient of the HOLT Medallion award, was featured inBustle,USA TodayHappy Ever After, andBook Riot. AndLoving the Secret Billionairewas a Romance Writers of America 2019 Rita® Award Finalist. Today, she resides with her husband and two small children on the coast of France, where she writes the gritty, emotional love stories of her heart.
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