Page 114 of Red Retaliation

“There’s also a tracking app installed on that phone.”

I blink, feeling more nervous. “W-Why would I need that?”

“In case you disappear back to Daddy or give him info, perhaps?” Liam mutters.

The daggers Red shoots at Liam doesn’t escape my notice, but what he said bothers me. Does Red think I’d attempt to run again or betray him? Did he not hear what I said about how I feel?

“It’s just a precaution, baby,” Red cups my face once more. “It’s nothing to do with what he says.” He then turns to Del. “Make sure she gets into the car safely and then come and help us find this fucking bomb!”

As he starts towards the door, I move after him, desperate to remain at his side, but Del holds me back. He’s right - I’ll only impede things, and I have to let Red do what he needs. For once, I’ll do what he says and try not to fixate on that he may still doubt me.

Red reaches the door and turns back to look at me and Del. “Look after her.”

“Already done.” Del watches Red and Liam leave the room and then smiles. “Get your stuff together. Cal will be here any minute.”

Nodding, I rush to chuck a change of clothes and the mobile in my small bag. These sweatpants and T-shirt of Red’s that I’m wearing aren’t my usual attire, but it’s not like there’s time to worry. I’m just glad Del is here. If I can’t have Red with me, then his loyal friend is the next best thing, and if Red also trusts Cal Bennett, then so must I.

I’ve just pulled my shoes on when my phone pings.

A text!

I rush to open the message.

[Unknown number]

17 Nov 07:01

4292 Back door. Now.

“It’s Cal.” I hold up the phone so Del can see.

Del nods and pulls me up from the chair. “Then let’s go!”

CHAPTER

83

Red

“SHIT! THIS IS HOPELESS!” Liam frantically searches the opposite end of the main casino to me. Bending down, he checks underneath the felt-covered gaming tables one after another, his frustration mounting.

“There’s nothing over here either,” Oscar adds, replacing another tray of sparkling glasses from behind one of the several bars.

I continue working my way along and behind the skirting boards, checking the second tier men also present are doing likewise. Other men are combing the rooms upstairs, and most of the offices have already been done. There’s no sign of anything. No fucking hint whatsoever.

I punch the wall, the resulting chip to the immaculate paintwork from my sovereign ring doing nothing to quell my inner rage. With one eye on the clock, sweat runs down my back, soaking my T-shirt.

“Fuck!” I hiss. Twenty minutes left before the bomb is due to detonate, yet we’re no closer to finding it. We’re fucked in every way if it explodes. The thought of my brothers and men being blown to smithereens, disfigured or losing limbs, spurs me on in my frantic search. I must stop my thoughts from shifting off on tangents. Everything depends on finding this fucking thing.

Straightening up, I lean on the nearest table and take a deep breath. Think logically... Where would these cunts place it? A small device could be slipped anywhere, therefore the choice is limitless.

How had those bastards succeeded getting in here, despite me being told no one had breached the building?

Unless it came from inside...

The disquieting theory that has recently haunted me raises its ugly head once again, and I glance at my brothers, taking a second to study the concentration and urgency on both Liam and Oscar’s faces as they scour all angles of every available surface. Whatever our disagreements and however much they hate my decisions regarding Arianna and even what they now know to be the truth about us, they would not do this to me. Neither would they still be inside a building that could explode any second. It’s not them behind this. Itcan’tbe.

The staff are all out now, but is Arianna?