“Your husband’s really dead?” one of the other men said, his accent fainter.
“Enzo,” Hudson snapped, giving him a death stare as Ryder and Seraphina returned. “Way to be blunt.”
“It’s fine—and you’re right.” I chewed on my lip, unsure what to say next. I was grateful I didn’t have to speak, because Ryder did it for me.
“Natasha called; she says we’re clear to roll out. We better go.” Ryder let go of Seraphina’s arm and offered his hand. “Constantine,” he said with a tip of the head, then went down the row of men. “Alessandro.Enzo.” When he got to Hudson, he gave him a quick one-armed hug instead. “Thank you. I owe you.”
Constantine stood tall in a crisp suit and gave off leader energy. And while Alessandro and Enzo carried themselves like businessmen, it was obvious all three were also the kind of guys who could kill you and still make it to a dinner reservation. Hudson was the only one who smiled like a human instead of a loaded weapon.
Constantine stepped forward. “Happy to help.”
It was good to pair names with faces now.
“Seraphina can stay at my place. My wife will love having you around. My son ... well, uh, he can be a lot, but—”
“I can handle him, don’t worry,” Seraphina reassured Constantine before Ryder pulled her back into his arms and kissed her.
My brother didn’t give a damn who had eyes on him. And somehow I loved him even more for that.
After a few more goodbyes, Ryder ushered us out a side exit where a black Suburban waited, parked like it’d appeared by magic while we were inside.
Alex tossed both my bags into the trunk, and I whispered softly, “Thank you. For everything.”
He gave a tight-mouthed nod and quietly reached out to adjust the plated vest I’d forgotten I was wearing. He gestured toward the SUV—my cue to get inside. Of course, he beat me to it, opening the door for me, and I let another thank-you brush from my lips to his ears in a whisper.
Reed was already behind the wheel with Ryder at his side, now holding the iPad Seraphina had been in charge of before.
“She’s going to be fine.” Reed elbowed my brother, then put the SUV in drive and pulled forward.
Ryder glanced out the window in the direction of the hangar. “I know,” he returned after a deep exhalation. He peeked back at me. “So will you.”
I nodded, unable to get any words out, then dug into my pocket where I’d stashed my new phone to keep an eye on Chase’s location.
A text popped up a moment later. A photo of Chase watching a movie alongside Michael and Kate Maddox’s kids.
Me:Thank you for this. We’re leaving the airport now.
Trevor:Good. Be safe.
Me:Always.
I closed my eyes, only to have them startled open when my brother hit me with words I didn’t want to hear: “We just received word fromHell.”
Hell.Why did that signature feel like it had an all-new meaning? The man might have very well come back from there himself.
“What’d he say?” I sat taller, planting a hand on the back of Reed’s seat while side-eyeing Alex, noticing him shift uncomfortably at the news.
“Here.” Ryder handed me a phone, a different one from what Mitch had given us, but presumably the “mirrored” version of it—whatever that meant.
I held it out so Alex could look with me.
Unknown:I know you, Audi. I know how you think. You’re not with Chase. You placed yourself in danger to protect him. Of course you did. It’s what any good mom would do. —Hell
Unknown:Nice trick with the car and snowplows. You bought yourself some time. I expected you to get away. You’re resourceful.
Unknown:But if you want to keep everyone you love safe, I expect you to do what I say.
Three images popped up at once.
