Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
No one wanted to, but they reluctantly did as instructed. Their mobiles thumped onto the table one at a time and were pushed over to Gio.
I began searching Jason first, and was roughest with him, knowing he would understand. Shawn was done next, and he gritted his teeth but said nothing as I patted him down.
Kara’s gaze was locked on Gio as I searched her. I moved fast and efficiently. Shit, I’d done worse to her, hadn’t I? Even though she’d begged me to do it, needed it to spare her the pain, it’d been impossibly difficult to wrap my arm around her neck and squeeze until she’d lost consciousness the day I’d rescued her.
When I finished my search, I nodded to Gio, and he motioned to the empty chairs across from him. Have a seat.
She lowered into one, her posture stiff and alert. “What do you want?”
As Gio spoke, I moved to stand behind him, taking in the scene before me. Jason had his arms crossed over his chest and a displeased look smeared on his face as he towered over his seated family. Shawn sat beside his fiancée, his hand clasped on her knee. It wasn’t to claim ownership, it was to offer support. He leaned forward, as if trying to stay between her and the men who were a threat.
“He’s asked if any of you know who he is,” I said.
They shook their heads.
“Ask the woman,” Gio demanded, “if she saw this man when she was being held by Juric.”
He tossed his phone down with a thud, pointing it toward her. Her pale blue eyes flicked down to the screen as I repeated his question in English.
Her gaze went to me and her lips parted, but nothing came out. She recognized Constantine and wasn’t sure how to answer.
“Don’t look at me,” I spat out. “Surely you can answer this simple question.”
She was tough and smart. She’d understand I was giving her permission.
“Yes,” she breathed.
Gio’s shoulders sagged. “Fucking Juric. I told my brother not to help him.”
The Abramo brothers hadn’t been close. For as unintelligent as Gio was, he was the smarter of the pair, and Constantine had struggled in his older brother’s shadow. But they were still family. Gio still cared about his baby brother.
“Ask if she knows what happened.”
It was obvious she was considering her answer carefully. Even though Gio didn’t speak English, talking openly about it was a bad idea. It would be too easy for either one of us to forget our role and slip.
“I only saw him once, in the hallway where he was shot.”
He straightened when this information was relayed. “She saw that happen? Who did it?”
Her unflinching gaze remained on Gio as she answered his question. “One of the men who rescued me. He didn’t have a choice because the other man was armed.” She swallowed thickly. “I was told later that his name was Tony.”
I couldn’t breath the sigh of relief, but wanted to. She’d done a decent job with the lie, and I would get her the rest of the way there. Who even knew if that was his real name? Tony had been a merc I’d crossed paths with during an op in Prague. He’d taken Shawn’s money and the job of rescuing Kara without hesitation, and that job had taken his life.
Her voice fell an octave. “He died just outside the house.”
That was true, whether she knew it or not.
I translated, and Gio’s expression soured. “He’s dead? Isn’t that convenient? My father won’t like it.” He examined her with a hard look. “Do you believe her? It could have been one of the Dunns, and she’s protecting them.”
Neither of the Dunns were the man in the room she was protecting. “I’ll make it clear that lying to you is a bad idea.”
I turned off my emotions, retreating into the Nathan persona that was cold and uncaring. My shoulders lifted as I took in a breath, filling out my chest, and focused my ruthless glare on her.
“If you’re fucking lying,” the English poured from my mouth, dripping with malice, “I’ll cut up that pretty face you’ve got. I won’t kill you, but believe me—you’ll wish I had.”
When I’d used that threatening look on Olivia, she’d barely had a reaction, but now color drained away from Kara’s face.
At least that still works, I thought grimly.
It was the reaction I needed from her to prove to Gio I’d done what I said I was going to, plus Shawn leapt to his feet, looking ready to attack. Anger burned in his eyes so hotly, it had to be real, at least partly. He’d wanted to kill me that afternoon in the clearing after I’d knocked Kara out. Perhaps the desire for retribution still lingered in him
But since I stood behind Gio, I put out a hand, gesturing for him to remain calm. I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head, silently conveying I had this under control. Gio didn’t notice. He probably thought I’d flashed my gun again in intimidation, and that was the reason Shawn had paused.