Page 147 of Cruel Juliet

Because he leaves, and locks the door behind his back, and then I’m alone.

57

PETYR

The club is loud outside, but in my office, it’s just me and the silence.

I’ve been pacing for the past ten minutes, back and forth between the window and the desk, waiting for my phone to ring. So far, it hasn’t yet.

It’s driving me fucking nuts.

There’s a map spread across the desk, marked up with notes and addresses. I’ve got men checking every location. I have a hunch about who’s behind it, but until I get the call, I can’t risk wasting resources that could save Sima’s life. I can’t afford to be wrong about this.

But the wait is killing me.

Fear sits in my chest like a living thing. Sharp, restless. It grows every hour she’s gone. I keep trying to bury it under coldpakhanlogic, but it keeps clawing back up.

I can’t lose her. I won’t.

She’s too fucking important to me.

I circle the desk again. My phone stays where I can see it, screen up, full volume. Every few seconds, I glance at it, make sure I haven’t missed the call. My jaw aches from how hard I’ve been clenching it.

I close my eyes and I see her. She’s laughing at something she shouldn’t, rolling her eyes at me when I’m being an ass, tucking the blanket around our daughter like the world ends outside that crib. She’s everything, all at once.

I press a hand to my chest, like I can steady the frantic beat of my heart. But I can’t. None of it feels real without her here.

I don’t want to think about what happens if I fail. That’s not an option.

But my brain won’t stop. I see her hurt, scared, calling my name, and me too far away to reach her. The image crawls under my skin until it burns.

I shove it down and focus on the map again, but it keeps coming back. “Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. Then, louder, “Fuck!”

I slam both fists on my desk. That’s when my phone buzzes.

I snatch it up before the second ring. “Speak.”

“It’s me,” says Luka’s voice on the other end. He sounds winded, uneasy. “I talked to our watchmen over at the Danilo estate.”

“And?”

“A car showed up about an hour ago at the main house. Four men got out.” His tone darkens with anger. “They brought a woman with them. Looked like they were dragging her.”

My hand goes cold. “Anybody see her face?”

“Not clear. But she matched the height. The hair. It could be her, boss.”

Could be her.That’s enough for me.

“Tell Oleg and the others to stay there,” I say. “Don’t let anyone in or out. I’m coming.”

“I’ll come, too,” he says quickly. “Let me just?—”

“No. Lilia needs you.” A beat goes by. “Sima would want you to watch over her. And I’d feel better with you at the house, too.”

I can hear Luka’s conflict in the long pause that follows. He and Sima have grown closer after the birth. He’s a good friend to her, and a damn good soldier. I can’t blame him for wanting to help rescue her.

But if anyone’s watching over my kid tonight, it’s him.