The monsters who murdered Beth are going to take Julian from me too.
“It’s the only option we have, Nora.”Peter’s voice is soothing, like he’s talking to a fractious child.“There is no other way.Esguerra is tough.He may be able to hang on for a while, no matter what they do to him.”
I take a deep breath to regain control of myself.I can break down later, when I’m alone.“Nobody is tough enough to withstand nonstop torture.”My voice is almost even.“You know that.”
Peter inclines his head, conceding my point.From what I heard about his unique skills, he knows better than anyone how effective torture can be.As I look at him, an idea enters my head—an idea that I never would’ve entertained before.
“The terrorist they captured,” I say slowly, holding Peter’s gaze.“Where is he now?”
“He’s supposed to be remitted into our custody, but for now he’s still in Moscow.”
“Do you think he might know something?”My hands twist in the skirt of my dress as I stare at Julian’s torturer-in-chief.A part of me can’t believe I’m about to ask him to do this, but my voice is steady as I say, “Do you think you could make him talk?”
“Yes, I’m sure I could,” Peter says slowly, looking at me with something resembling respect.“I don’t know if he’ll know where they might go next, but it’s worth a shot.I will fly out to Moscow immediately and see what I can find out.”
“I’m coming with you.”
His reaction is immediate.“No, you’re not,” he says, frowning at me.“I’m under explicit orders to keep you safe here, Nora.”
“Your boss has just been captured and is about to be tortured and killed.”My voice is sharp and biting as I enunciate every word.“And you thinkmysafety is a priority right now?Your orders no longer apply because they have Julian.They no longer need me for leverage over him.”
“Well, actually, they would love to have you for leverage over him.They could break him much faster if they had you as well.”Peter shakes his head, his expression regretful but determined.“I’m sorry, Nora, but you need to stay here.If we do end up rescuing your husband, he would be very displeased to learn that I allowed you to be in danger.”
I turn away, shaking, terror and frustration mingling together and feeding on each other until it feels like I will burst from it all.I feel helpless.Utterly and completely useless.When I had been taken, Julian came for me.He rescued me—but I can’t do the same for him.
I can’t even get off the estate.
“Nora…” It’s Rosa.I can feel her hand on my arm as I blindly stare out the window, my mind running through all the dead ends like a rat in a maze.“Nora, please… Come, let’s get you a bite to eat…”
I shake my head in curt denial and pull my arm away, keeping my gaze trained on the green lawn outside.There’s something nibbling at the edge of my brain, some errant, half-formed thought that I can’t quite grasp.It has to do with something Peter said, something he mentioned in passing… I hear him leaving the room, his footsteps quiet in the hallway, and suddenly it hits me.
Spinning around, I sprint after him, ignoring the shock on Rosa’s face as I push her out of the way.“Peter!Peter, wait!”
He stops in the hallway, giving me a cool look as I skid to a stop next to him.“What is it?”
“I know,” I gasp out.“Peter, I know exactly what to do.I know how to get Julian back.”
His expression doesn’t change.“What are you talking about?”
I draw in a gulping breath and begin to explain my plan, speaking so fast I’m tripping over the words.I can see him shaking his head as I speak, but I persist anyway, driven by a sense of urgency more intense than anything I’ve ever experienced.I need to convince Peter that I’m right.Julian’s life depends on it.
“No,” he says when I’m done.“This is insane.Julian would kill me—”
“But he might bealiveto kill you,” I interrupt.“There’s no other option.You know that as well as I do.”
He shakes his head, and the look he gives me is genuinely regretful.“I’m sorry, Nora—”
“I will give you the list,” I blurt out, grasping at the only straw I can think of.“I will give you the list of names before your three years are up if you do this.Julian will hand it over as soon as he gets it into his hands.”
Peter stares at me, his expression changing for the first time.“You know about the list?”he asks, his voice pulsing with such anger that I have to fight the urge to step back.“The list Esguerra promised me?”
I nod.“I do.”Under any other circumstances, I would be terrified to provoke this man, but I’m beyond fear at the moment.A recklessness born of desperation drives me now, giving me uncharacteristic courage.“And I know that you won’t get it if Julian dies,” I continue, pressing my point.“All this time you’ve been working for him will be in vain.You’ll never be able to get revenge on the people who killed your family.”
His impassive look disappears completely, his face transforming into a mask of blazing fury.“You don’t know shit about my family,” he roars, and this time I do take a step back, my self-preservation instinct belatedly kicking in as I see his hands tightening into fists.“You fucking dare taunt me with them?”
He takes a step toward me as I back away, my heart hammering in my chest.Then, with a sharp, violent motion, he twists and punches the wall, his fist breaking through the drywall.I flinch, jumping back, and he punches the wall again, taking his rage out on it as he undoubtedly wants to do on me.
“Peter…” My voice is low and soothing, like I’m talking to a wild animal.I can see Rosa and Ana in the doorway, looking terrified, and I try to diffuse the situation.“Peter, I’m not taunting you—I’m just pointing out the facts.I want to help you, but first you need to help me.”
