Three. I am Isabella fucking Salvini, the hacker Iset, and I will not break.
Somehow, that was enough to push back the edges of panic.
Time seemed to slow as I assessed my options. I could try to fight, but the armed men would overpower me in seconds, and even if by some miracle, I escaped, Cara would be alone with these monsters.
Or I could go quietly and watch for opportunities. Stay alive. Stay alert. Find a way out for both of us.
“Such a pleasant surprise finding you ladies out here,” Grey said, his voice silky with false concern. “But incredibly stupid. It’s dangerous to be exposed during a storm of this magnitude.”
The dishonesty in his voice was so transparent, it would have been laughable in any other circumstance. I found my voice, forcing it past the tightness in my throat. “Our families are expecting us back.”
“I’m sure they are,” Grey replied with mock sympathy. “Unfortunately, the current situation requires some…adjustments to our arrangements. You’ll both be coming with us as a precautionary measure.”
Cara’s eyes met mine, wide with terror, as Grey dragged her toward one of the boats. Her fear of water made this a special kind of cruelty. I could see her chest rising and falling rapidly, panic setting in as she realized where they intended to take her.
“It’s going to be okay,” I called to her, injecting more confidence into my voice than I felt. “Just do what they say for now. I’ll be right next to you.”
As Marcus grabbed my arm, I forced myself not to flinch, drawing on a core of strength I’d been building since childhood. I thought of that fighting boy—maybe Ivan—and his refusal to break despite impossible odds.
If he could survive, so could I.
“Such a brave girl,” Marcus murmured, his breath hot against my ear. “You’re just like your mother.”
My stomach turned at the comparison, but I kept my expression neutral, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my disgust. “Where are you taking us?”
“Somewhere safe,” Grey answered from ahead. “Until we resolve our current…situation.”
They led us toward separate boats, and a new wave of panic surged through me. I’d assumed they would keep us together—dividing us was the last thing I’d expected.
“We stay together,” I demanded, pulling against Marcus’s grip. “Both of us in one boat.”
Grey laughed, the sound ugly against the storm. “I don’t think you’re in a position to make demands, Isabella.”
The implication sent ice through my veins. I fought then, truly fought, twisting and kicking as they tried to force me into a different boat from Cara. “Cara!” I shouted, making eye contact with her. “I’ll find you! Just hold on! You’re strong.”
A hand clamped over my mouth as I was bodily lifted and thrown into the bigger of the two speedboats. I landed hard against the metal floor, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. Pain radiated through my hip andshoulder where I’d hit the floor, but I ignored it, scrambling up to see where they were taking Cara.
By the time I got back to my feet, the engine was already roaring, and the boat came back to life. I gripped the side of the boat, ignoring the spray that soaked me further, desperate to keep her in sight.
Rain pelted my face as I watched helplessly while our boat headed away from Grey’s boat, which was still at the dock. The last glimpse I caught of her face, pale and terrified, burned into my memory. She looked so small, so vulnerable—nothing like the composed woman I’d just been talking with.
“Sit down before you fall and hurt yourself,” Marcus ordered, his voice carrying the same authority that had terrified me as a child.
I forced myself to turn away from Cara’s boat and face my current reality. Marcus sat opposite me, perfectly composed despite the rain soaking his expensive suit. Two armed men flanked him, their faces impassive. Another manned the controls, fighting against the rough sea.
I’d survived Uncle Marcus before. I could do it again.
I made myself sit, partly to obey the order and partly because the boat was pitching violently now, making it difficult to stand. Every muscle in my body remained tense, ready to fight or flee at the first opportunity.
The boat cut through increasingly rough waters, spray mixing with rain until I was drenched to the skin. My clothes clung uncomfortably to me, and my hair was plastered to my scalp. I shivered. My mind worked furiously,mapping our direction, counting seconds, and noting the yacht that appeared to be our destination.
“You’ve grown into your mother’s beauty,” Marcus said, his voice carrying over the engine’s roar. “It’s quite remarkable.”
My jaw clenched so hard, I thought my teeth might crack. I refused to respond, staring past him at the receding shoreline. Each second took me farther from safety, from my family, from Ivan. Had they even noticed we were missing yet? How long before someone realized?
The boat pitched violently as a large wave struck its side, sending water cascading over us. I gripped the side, refused to show fear despite the growing danger of the storm. One of Marcus’s men looked distinctly green, his hand white-knuckled on his weapon.
A weakness. Something to remember.
