I had a purpose, and that was to get my woman back. I wouldn’t lose her, and anyone who stood in my way would regret it.
The man lay crumpled on the stone floor at my feet, pools of red beneath him, and I began the interrogation. I had no doubt he would talk. The past six hours had been hell for him and they were about to get even worse if he didn’t give me Jacqueline’s exact location and plan. I knew Sophie was being kept on Jacqueline’s yacht, and I wanted to know everything I could about the layout of the boat, security cameras, number of guards, every-fucking-thing.
I smiled as I sat down in front of the captured man. He couldn’t move, but he jerked against his bindings anyway, trying to get away from me. A waste of time. There was no escape for this man, and the terror in his eyes told me he knew it.
Setting my knife on my thigh, I began. “There’re two ways this can go.” The man trembled. “I can torture you all night or you can take the easy way out. Answer all my questions and I’ll give you a clean death. Understand?”
He swallowed hard and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. “Yes, sir.”
“So,” I continued, “you will tell me everything I need to know.”
“Please, sir. I can’t have that crazy woman go after my wife and child.”
Renewed fury had me slowly leaning forward, pressing my knife against his throat. “I promise to protect your wife and child from her. But if you don’t give me the information I need, she will be the least of your worries. I’ll go after your family myself, and I assure you, I’m a lot more dangerous than Jacqueline.”
My prisoner shook his head, terrified, and then folded.
His words came slowly and were barely audible, but we eventually received the information on the yacht, its exact route, and the number of staff on it.
When I had what I needed, I reached for the gun tucked in my holster and aimed it between his eyes. “Your family will be safe.”
Those were the last words he heard before I pulled the trigger.
As I stood, Amir shot me a concerned look. “Are you all right?”
“Get men ready.” I dismissed his concern and strode toward the stairs. “We’re going to get Sophie back.”
And if there was a single scratch or bruise on her, I’d skin Jacqueline alive.
Chapter 41
Sophie
Imust have passed out, because the next time I opened my eyes, I was handcuffed in what looked like an office.
“Welcome aboard theKraken,” Jacqueline said, sitting on a sofa with her legs crossed and sipping on champagne while a handgun sat on her lap.
My eyebrows shot to my hairline. “Not a very inspired name for a boat.”
I glanced at the luxury surrounding me from all sides and the view stretching out the windows. It looked like we were on the upper level of what seemed to be a very large yacht. The furniture in this room was all white leather and bamboo boards, the circular glass windows giving views of the sea that stretched for miles. In the far corner of the room sat a fully stocked bar that seated six on marble stools.
“This will be your last voyage, so enjoy it, Sophie.”
“What?”
“I fucking hate repeating myself,” she said, taking a sip of her champagne. “You’re going to die, so enjoy these moments. I can’t be any clearer than that.”
I wanted to fight her, to run and escape, but what could I really do? Jump overboard and start swimming? No, I’d stay put. Dina had seenwhat happened and Kian’s men were right behind us, so I was sure my rescue was imminent.
Yes, it was sort of lame to sit here and wait around, but I knew my strengths. Physical combat was certainly not one of them.
“What is your problem, Jacqueline?” I rasped, my mouth dry. The woman hadn’t even offered me a glass of water while she sipped from her fancy flute. “You wanted me gone, so I left. And now you follow me here.”
Her eyes narrowed as she asked, “Where is Jonathan?”
I stared at her blankly, expecting her to cackle, but instead was met with a serious expression.
“He’s dead,” I gritted. “You had him killed.”
