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)
“Son of a bitch.” His pause lasted much too long. “Shit. I might be able to pull Tragar to lead the strike team, but he’s three hours out, minimum.”
Three hours was a fucking lifetime, but I would need this as a contingency plan, in case things went farther south. “Do it.”
“Tragar’s team might be risking their life for someone who’s already dead. Consider that.”
“Say something like that again and I’m going to knock your teeth right out the back of your skull the next time I see you. Consider that, Daniel.”
The room was impossibly tense as I hung up and jammed my phone in my pocket. No one moved, no one blinked as they gaped at me.
Shawn snapped back to life before anyone else. “I just activated the secondary flight crew. They found another pilot.” He gazed at me with understanding. “They’ll be prepped and ready by the time you get to the airport.”
Without explanation, without me having to ask for it, he already knew that I planned to go after her. Probably because it was exactly what he’d do if he were in my position.
I’d never been more grateful in my entire life. “Thank you, Shawn.”
“Be careful.”
I didn’t say goodbye. I turned, stormed toward the door, and burst through it, then tore down the hall. I had to get her back.
We had all sorts of unfinished business to sort out.
I’d get her back, or, more likely, I’d die trying.
36
OLIVIA
It was my second visit to Vitale’s villa. The sprawling mansion was located on the outskirts of Rome, with manicured lawns and gardens, and a view of the basilica in Vatican City. The blue dome loomed in the distance, and even though I wasn’t Catholic, I’d give anything to be there now with the tourists. Instead, Carlo grabbed the links of my metal handcuffs and pulled me stumbling along inside the house.
As elegant and refined as the villa appeared on the outside, the interior was a masterpiece. The carved marble staircase was smooth as glass and seamless, and meticulous woodworking framed hand-painted murals on the walls of the entry. The cuffs dug into my skin as I was tugged into Vitale’s office.
I’d stood here less than two months ago and accepted the captain position, wanting to believe his money came from something benign like investments or banking, and knew I was being foolish.
The office was a bit over the top. Rich golds and reds accenting dark oak. The velvet curtains were closed, stifling back the fading sunlight. The closest neighbors were too far away, but this ensured no one would see what was happening now.
Vitale’s desk didn’t have a computer on it, like the desk was more for show, rather than function. This intimidating office was used to let the guests know who was in charge, and Vitale sat on his leather chair like it was a throne.
Carlo went to stand beside him while Gio dropped onto the plush couch, pointing at the spot beside him. He wordlessly demanded I sit there.
“I’m glad to see you alive,” Carlo translated for Vitale.
“Are you?” I kept my head held high and my shoulders back as I lowered onto the couch, trying to keep my distance.
Vitale looked pleased. “Of course.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheek to stay rational and quiet.
“I think you’ll be useful,” Carlo continued.
I’d bitten too hard, and the blood seemed to be everywhere in my mouth, clinging to my teeth, and it did nothing to help my sour stomach. “Useful how?”
“You have information about the man we know as Nathan. If you share that information, I don’t see a reason why we can’t let you live.”
My laugh was deep and bitter. There was no way that was going to happen. “Yeah, I’m going to have to decline your generous offer.”
A faint smile curled the edge of Carlo’s mouth like this was the answer he hoped for, and he continued to translate for his boss. “That’s disappointing, but I’m a patient and optimistic man. Giovanni will take the remainder of the day to try to motivate you to reconsider.”
I filled my lungs with air until my whole body felt full of something other than immobilizing rage.
Escape. That was what I needed to focus on. Not the way Carlo’s eyes burned with malice. Although the desire to retreat into myself was strong, I held it back. There was pain in my immediate future, broken bones and other, darker things.
“You might break this body,” I said to the men in the room, every word burning in my throat more than the last, “but you won’t break me.”
It was like I’d just told him he’d won ten million euros. “I suspect you won’t break easily, no. It would be a shame if you did.”
I shivered as Vitale rose from his seat and pulled the vest of his impeccable suit down, smoothing a hand over it. He said something to Gio that Carlo didn’t translate, and then he was gone, the office doors shut behind him.