“Oh? Why not?” For some reason, the words come out slurred.
What the fuck?
He’s still looking at me. He tilts his head. Or at least, I think he does, until I realize I’m the one tipping. Black spots are flickering in my vision.
No! Oh my God, no!
I drop the glass.
“Mark?” I choke out. I don’t hear an answer aside from his mocking laughter before the world goes black.
Chapter 9
Mateo Ricci
It’s late when the call comes through, but I snatch up the phone regardless. I seem to spend my life on high alert these days. I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night.
“What is it?” I snap, then take a deep breath. I need to try to settle my frayed nerves.
“She’s been spotted…at least, my guys are pretty certain it was her, from the description,” Raoul’s voice comes over the line. He’s had his best men trying to get a lead on her, trawling the streets with their network of connections.
“She’s all right?” I ask, relief flooding me.
“She was when they saw her. But…” he trails off, and the sense of relief evaporates as fast as it had arrived.
“But what?” I’m snapping again.
Pull it together, Ricci.
“They saw her getting off a bike, and—”
“She was riding a bike?” I frown. That makes no sense. What the fuck is she up to?
“No, someone else was riding.”
“Who was the rider?” Any relief I’d felt is now definitely gone.
“They couldn’t see. Guy in black leather, apparently. On a black Ducati with no plates. Didn’t take his helmet off, so they couldn’t see his face.
I’m suddenly recollecting the black-visored helmet I looked into moments before facing a hail of bullets. Was she with the same guy? I don’t want to think about it.
“So, where is she now?”
“Bunch of guys dragged her into a limo.” He pauses long enough for the words to fill me with dread because I already know what’s coming next. “Mateo, it was Whitlock. My guys followed them to his place in town.”
My gut knots.
“Fuck.”
“Yeah. My sentiments exactly.” He heaves a sigh. “I’m sorry, my friend.”
“It’s what we’ve been expecting.” I force myself to get a grip. Losing it now won’t accomplish anything. “We just need to get this show on the road a little ahead of schedule, that’s all.”
“We’re ready, Mateo. We won’t be going in unprepared.” There’s no hint of his usual sarcasm of attitude now. Tonight, Raoul’s all business.
“I’ll call Reed,” I tell him. “I’ll get back to you as soon as we’ve spoken.”
Raoul ends the call without me having to. I dial Reed’s number immediately, then try not to lose my shit when the call rings through to voicemail. I hit redial at once. He picks up on the third ringtone.
