Page 124 of Red Retaliation

Snatching the crumpled-up note out of Liam’s hand, I hold it between my shaking fingers.

The words swim as things slide into place. “It’sGalvatorewho has her,” I growl, my teeth clenched. “He’s taken his daughter.” Just when I thought Emiliano Galvatore couldn’t fall lower in my estimation, I’m wrong. “He warned me Arianna would be given to another man if I didn’t comply with demands.”

“What?” Liam gasps. “You didn’t mention that!”

“Like it matters to you!” I throw the note on the floor in disgust. “Everyone in this room, apart from me, wants Arianna gone. Now you’ve all got your wish!”

Slamming my bottle down, I tug out my mobile. Ignoring everyone, hearing only the loud roar in my ears, I dial Galvatore’s number.

Not wanting to maintain physical contact with anything that acts as a conduit for this bastard’s voice, I flip the setting to loudspeakerjust as the call is answered.

“Ah, Mr Bateman! Good of you to call! You’ve finally deemed me worthy of closing our deal?” Galvatore’s voice echoes around the expanse of my empty casino.

“Where is she, you cunt?” I snarl. “You’ve got five seconds to tell me where you’ve taken your daughter, or I’ll kill everyone single one of you.” There’s a moment silence down the line. It’s one moment too long. “Did you not hear me, Galvatore? I said, tell m...”

“I heard what you said, Mr Bateman,” the voice continues. “I dislike threats, but I’m also a little confused. I have not seen Arianna since I came to your office. I’ve been patiently waiting for you to agree to terms as disc...”

“Don’t bullshit!” I scream, the veins in my temples pounding. My brothers and men tense around me. They too know that this wanker is lying - it’s fucking obvious. “The note you had delivered was clear enough! Who have you sold her to, you bastard? Arianna belongs tome. She’s my wife!”

“I do not appreciate your tone, Mr Bateman. I have sent no note.”

“Oh, really? Then why is it here in front of me?” I glare at the note on the floor next to my foot. “It says that my wife and territories will go to other parties. Your exact words when we met, are they not?”

Galvatore chuckles - actuallychuckles.

The cunt will die.

Snatching up my gun and the phone, I head towards the door. I’ll torture the fucker until he tells me where Arianna is. AndthenI’ll kill him.

His voice drones through the speaker as my men scramble to follow me, but I’m not listening. Galvatore can say what he likes, but it’s too late.

Just as I’m about to cut the call off, something he saysdoesseep into my brain. “What did you say? Just then? What did you say?”

“I said, Mr Bateman, that I haven’t had chance to sendanynote considering I’ve been dealing with the repercussions Bristoni’s suicide landed me with. I’m just glad my son has returned to help shoulder the strain. That’s when he’s not on the phone to his ‘Del Boy’ associate. Stupid name, like that ridiculous program you English insist on watching.”

I’d probably put Galvatore’s comment down to moronic ramblings of an over-egotistical madman, had I not glimpsed an expression fleet across my best friend’s face. It was only there for a minuscule amount of time, but long enough to tell me that everything I believe sacred has combusted in on itself.

CHAPTER

91

Arianna

MY EYELIDS ARE STICKY and my throat dry. I blink, the room a blurred mess. My head pounds, and I feel sicker than ever before. What on earth have I done to feel like this?

I can’t remember. Did I drink too much?

I move to brush the hair out of my face and turn over towards Red, only to find my arm is stuck. Blinking harder, seeds of worry sprout. I force myself to pull the room into focus. “Red?” I croak. “What’s goi...”

“Ah! You’re back with us!”

I jolt, my senses snapping to alertness.Matteo?

I pull my arms; the clanking sound my movement brings realizes my worst fears. Twisting my head, the pain in my stiff neck worsening my nausea, I see my hands are cuffed to a bed.

And it’s not my bed. Neither is this the room I’ve begun to feel safe and treasured in.

The dark green ceiling takes on crystal clarity, an opulent chandelier shining reflections of its many crystals in pretty patterns over the cream brocade wallpaper.