“You will not. You’re too close. Too emotional. Let me mediate, Cousin. If I can help as a neutral party, I will.”
I closed my eyes and sagged against the cushions. Nothing was neutral between me and her anymore. I was hurt. Yet I missed her. I was furious she duped me. But I desired her. I was skeptical of her at the same time I worried about her comfort and safety.
Maybe he had a point. “Fine.”
“But where is she?” he asked.
I frowned. “In her old room. Ask Renee.”
“I looked.” He shook his head. “She’s not there.”
This time, I stood and didn’t stagger to the side. “What the fuck do you mean?”
“She’s not in the room. It’s unlocked and the door is open.”
Before he finished fully speaking, I was running. Jogging at first and then sprinting. He followed me as I dashed out of the room to check for myself whether she was there.
Worst-case scenarios flitted through my mind, each one more horrible than the last.
My father.He’d taken the matters of a spy into his own hands and had her killed.
Oleg!He’d been so doubtful of keeping her here alive.
Someone had to have had her removed, against my wishes. And the fear of her beinggoneshattered my busted heart all over again.
Breathing hard, I skidded to a stop at her room. Just like Sergei said, she was absent. I grabbed the door frame to support myself as I stared into the vacant space.
She was gone.
Fury licked up my spine and I was barely aware of panting, breathing like an enraged, feral animal.
She’s gone.
She’s—
“Andre.”
I whirled around to face Oleg hurrying up to me.
“Where is she?” I bellowed. “Where is she?”
I was supposed to trust him. He’d served me, worked for the family, for years, yet he’d go behind my back and take her?
“He has her.”
I blinked quickly, trying to keep up.
He wasn’t smug or cocky about taking her out. He wasn’t looking at me like he was ready for my anger at his insubordination.
With a phone in hand, an ear bud in his ear, he was somber and serious. On task and worried.
“Who?”
“Giovanni.”
Fuck!
How?
