Fuck.
They didn’t let me go.Shedidn’t. And Micah...that fuckerdidn’t either. They’re in New York. Which means only one thing.
Rook.
My chest tightens painfully. This isn’t hope. This is danger. This is them walking straight into a fire I’ve been trying to keep them away from.
God fucking dammit.
Adriana’s voice cuts in, laced with concern as she slides a vodka cranberry toward me on the kitchen island. “Jude?”
I don’t answer.
She steps closer, peering at my face. “What’s wrong?”
“I need a minute,” I snap, shoving the door open and stalking toward the elevator. I don’t wait to see if she follows. At the end of the hall, I pace like a caged animal, phone clenched so tight it hurts. My breathing is shallow. My thoughts are loud, tangled, andfurious.
I unblock Micah, and I dial from a private number.
He picks up on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Go somewhere alone,” I say quietly. My voice doesn’t sound like mine.“Now.”
There’s a pause. Then, “Jude?”
That’s it. That’s all it takes. Rage floods my chest. “What thefuckare you doing in New York?” I demand, voice low and lethal. “Did you think I wouldn’t see it?”
Silence. Then Micah exhales. It sounds like he’s shutting a door. “We’re just trying to help you.”
“I told you to leave it alone,” I hiss. “I told you tolet me go.”
“You don’t get to decide that,” he says carefully. “Not when you’re being held against your fucking will.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I snap. “You have no idea what you’re risking.”
“Emma does,” he fires back. “And she still came.”
That hits harder than any punch Alexei’s men have thrown at me. I squeeze my eyes shut, hating that I just heard her name.
Her fucking name.
“She shouldn’t have,” I growl, my hand trembling on my phone. “She doesn’t belong in this world.”
“Neither do you,” Micah says swiftly.
A bitter laugh bursts from me. “Too fucking late, man.”
“Tell me where you are,” he demands. “Tell me what they’re doing to you.”
My face contorts in rage as I steady my breathing. “Alexei told me he’d sell her.”
“W—what?” Micah stutters.
Rage is pounding throughout my body. “Alexei told me he’d fucking sell her. I’m already watching this trafficker Alexei’s best friends with. He seems interested in Adriana.”
“Why are you even—”
“Shut up, Micah!” I whisper yell. “Stop. Looking. For me.”
