With her head held high, Autumn walked back to Nico’s bedroom. An arm draped over his face and the sheet rested below his navel. Autumn bit her lip.
She had to trust him. He was her only hope.
Walking to his side of the bed, she smoothed her hand down one side of his face. “Nico, wake up. I need your help.”
Moving his arm away, he blinked up at her. “Autumn?” His voice had that groggy, sleep-filled tone. He raised his hand to her cheek. “What’s wrong?” He looked over at the alarm clock next to the bed. “What time is it?”
“Morning, but that’s not the point. I need your help.”
“With what?”
“Elijah took Reagan.”
“Who?”
“I’ll explain everything, but you need to hurry and get up.”
“You have a couple of options.”
After Nico watched the video clip and read the texts, he listened to Autumn explain her theory. He believed it. Why not go after someone Autumn cared about? She didn’t say the woman was her friend, but Nico was good at reading between the lines.
She cared enough about this Reagan to risk her life.
Now Autumn stood and bit her nails as she listened to him. “Okay, what are my options?”
“We can’t have cops, right?” At her nod, Nico continued, “The two of us won’t cut it. We need backup. And since Winters specifically said you, then there has to be a tail.”
Autumn nibbled on her lip. “Right. You can’t come with me. If he sees anyone, he’s just going to kill Reagan.”
He just might kill both of you, anyway.
He refused to voice the words aloud. Nico also didn’t want to panic her, either, but it had to be the truth.
This was Winters’ cat-and-mouse game. He held all the fucking cards. No one knew what ace he had up his sleeve.
Nico nodded. “Yes, but what if you get a head start? We wouldn’t be too far along—”
“Wait, who’swe?”
“I can call in some favors. Luna will help me.”
Autumn shook her head, “I don’t want to get her involved in this. I don’t want anyone from organized crime to be involved, Nico.”
He watched her pace. She was trying to piece everything together. And since she couldn’t get the authorities involved, she was at a loss of what to do.
“Luna won’t be involved.” As Autumn wrung her hands, he added, “Not exactly.”
“What do you mean,not exactly?” Her voice rose on the last couple of words.
“Mario and Gregory will come if I need help. Luna wouldn’t bat an eyelash.”
“The scary guy who brought me to the hospital? That Gregory? Wait, Luna called him something else.”
“Gregory is the American version,” Nico said in a dry tone. “He is one of the best men Luna has. This would be a cakewalk for him.”
“But Mario is your brother, cousin…” She squeezed her eyes shut and ran her fingers through her hair. “I don’t want him to get hurt.”
If only she knew half the things he’s done.
