My father smiles slyly. "Is it your brat of a sister?"
"In a way, yes."
Triumph shines bright, and he pours another drink, not offering me one. Not that I want one.
"She's causing you grief, is that it?"
Fuck.
"In a way. Dad?—"
"So, you're finally getting a taste of what it's really like trying to keep that girl in line?" The poison on his lips makes me want to punch him, a regular reaction to him. "Welcome to my fucking world. It's harder than it?—"
"Fuck, Dad, stop being an asshole for a fucking second. Lyndall's been kidnapped."
Thunderclouds clash in his face.
He slams his drink down and stalks up to me. "How the fuck did that happen?"
"She was with a...friend," I say carefully. "Who may be wanted by certain members of a crime family."
"Do I look like I give a fuck about your friend?" He's already calling his men.
He barks into the phone to get the word out that Lyndall Marino will be returned untouched, unharmed, and if thathappens in the next hour, then whoever took her may be spared their life.
He slams the phone down onto his desk, face up.
"Actually, you might give a fuck about the friend, Dad."
He goes utterly still. "Why?"
I force myself to remain neutral. "It's Lourdes Mancini."
For a moment, I fear the entire world is going to crack apart. But it doesn't.
He swipes his drink, downs it, and then pours another.
He nods. Then nods again, taking a sip.
When he turns to face me, a mask of calm.
"Who took them? And when and why in God's name did you get involved in Lourdes's life?" He gives me a look that would intimidate lesser men. "Last I heard, she dropped off the face of the fucking earth."
"Look—"
"And didn't I make it clear as glass to stay away from anyone or anything to do with that family?"
"Sure, but she was a kid when you guys fell out. She's not to blame, and she has no one. You can't be that heartless."
My father growls, but I push a hand through my hair and make myself stand my ground.
The urge to storm off comes over me, but this isn't a me story. It's my sister's, Lola's. And while Lyndall will be safe, I know that the same can't be said for Lola. Lyndall might buy Lola some time, but the slightest digging will show that the Mancini and Marino families fell out.
And that makes her vulnerable, nothing but fodder to whoever has her. And that isifthey decide to look her up. If it's not the person after her, that is.
If it is, then Lyndall is the only thing keeping Lola unharmed.
I look him in the eye. "That isn't important right now.We're wasting precious time arguing. Rescue Lola, and we rescue Lyndall. We should go?—"
