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And I’m pacing.

I’ve been pacing like a caged animal for hours.

Just as I’m about to voice an idea, my phone rings, and I lift an eyebrow when I see it’s a video call from an unknown number.

“This is him.” All three of them move to stand in front of me, and I show them the screen. “Stay out of range.”

They nod, and I accept the call and hold the screen up so I’m on camera.

And there before me is my beautiful wife, dirty and bloody. A quick scan tells me that there’s a bleeding hole in her shoulder, but none of her arms or legs look broken. Her face is bruised up, and there’s a wet spot where . . .

He made her piss herself.

My jaw clenches so tight, it’s a wonder my molars don’t break.

“Do I have your attention?” Damien asks as he turns the phone to himself. He has the face of Lincoln now, but I know those eyes very well. “Hello, friend.”

“What do you want?”

I don’t let any emotion show on my face whatsoever. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing worry or fear.

“Her,” he says with a toothy grin. “I’ve always wanted her, obviously, because I’ve managed to take her out from under your stupid nose twice. You’re not very good at keeping something you claim to love safe. I’ll give you pointers for next time.”

My free hand fists at my side, but my face stays perfectly unaffected.

“You don’t just want my woman, Adam.”

All humor leaves his face.

“How much?”

“You think I did this for money?” He barks out a laugh. “I don’t need your money.”

“Need? No. But you always wanted what I had, even if it was considerably less than you, so name your figure. A hundred million? Two?”

“I want everything. Your entire empire. And I know that you won’t give it up for this stupid whore.”

He’s wrong. I’d give every penny, every property, my very soul for her.

But that won’t be necessary.

“Done,” I reply and see Mateo grin in my periphery. “Tell me where you are.”

Damien tsks and shakes his head as he walks, then squats, presses his face to Rina’s, and shares the screen with her.

Her gorgeous eyes are empty. She’s withdrawn into herself to protect against the pain.

Baby. I’m coming.

Julian nods, signaling that he has a location, and the three of them disperse to get started on rolling out the army.

But I can’t take my eyes off my wife.

She’s alive.

“She doesn’t smell so good right now,” Damien says with a humorless laugh. “Poor thing. But don’t worry, I’ll get her cleaned up later. Now, you sit tight, and I’ll call you tomorrow with more instructions.”

Before he hangs up, his words hit Rina’s mind, her eyes widening in horror, and then the screen goes blank.