Page 142 of Retribution

“You’re right,” he says, taking a deep breath. “I’m going to throw offers on the table to find her down that avenue. It feels as if Ophelia is lying low. The flight plan says that the plane landed in Lake Elmo, which is outside of Minneapolis. My research says that the Jefferson City Auction is an hour north of that.”

“Are there any cameras near the auction house?” I ask, the cold air helping me to think better.

“I couldn’t find anything, but fuck, I could try using satellites,” Oli says, eyes widening. “You’re a genius.”

“I did nothing,” I deny. “Walk with me and get your brain to wake up. You’re right, you’ve been sitting for too long. Panic makes the mind sluggish.”

“I keep thinking about what could be happening to her, and it’s like my brain short circuits,” he admits.

“We do what we can,” I remind him and myself. “Keep working, something will pan out.”

“Yes,” he murmurs. “I’ll check the satellites to see what kind of activity there is, and I’m going to call Duncan to see if he has any leads. Knowing that the plane landed in Minnesota, I am going to suggest that we also leave so we’re closer when we need to make our move.”

I hide a smile as Oli shakes off the paralysis that he’s had. The February air is still crisp and I can smell impending snow. We should get on a plane before we’re all snowed in. I’ll back Oli when he suggests this to our pack.

“And then?” I ask.

“You’re a brat,” he grunts. “I’m also going to check the cameras at Reid Pharmaceuticals. Grant had a camera installed through a private company today under the guise that he waschecking the current ones. No one has access to them but us. If someone is fucking Lucas over, we’ll find out.”

“No one else knows about this?” I ask.

“Nope. Not even Lucas’ assistant. She checked in on him, acting as if she was concerned. I think she thought he was just going to be able to jump back into work without an issue,” Oli says. “I don’t like her.”

“I hope there’s something in her office then,” I say.

“The cameras have full sound capabilities and Grant also had the security office on the main floor bugged. He then asked that the floor where Lucas typically works be bugged, along with all of the offices, meeting rooms, bathrooms, and storage closets,” Oli says smugly.

“Holy fu…fudge nuggets,” I amend.

“Gesundheit?” Oli asks.

“I’m trying not to curse as much in front of Leila,” I explain. “At this rate, her first word will be four letters long.”

“Her fathers regularly break the law, I doubt a little language will be the worst thing she learns,” Oli shrugs. “Oh, I also embedded a command to filter the video feeds at Reid Pharmaceuticals so that it’ll alert me if certain words are spoken.”

“Like what?” I ask.

“Any derogatory words that are used for a woman, omega, Isolde, Ophelia, auction, Lucas, and a variety of other words,” he says. “I really don’t like that we have a traitor in his building. Someone let the fox into Lucas’ house, essentially. Isolde should have been safe there.”

“I hate that there wasn’t a camera where she was taken,” I grumble.

“There are now, as well as on the stairwells on both sides. The cameras are completely hidden,” Oli says. “We‘ll find our girl somehow. I’m exploring every angle.”

Leila lays her head on my chest, her lids getting heavy.

“There we go, sweet girl,” Oli whispers. “Sleep sucks for all of us right now.”

“We need Isolde back. Nothing will be normal without her,” I agree.

Leila falls asleep as we continue to brainstorm for a few minutes before going back inside. She’s snuggled and warm within her layers of clothing, making me smile as I brush her forehead with my lips.

“Can I help you?” Lucas asks, his voice cold and lifeless.

Exchanging a glance with Oli, we move closer to the front door. Oli maneuvers our bodies so whoever Lucas is speaking to can’t see us.

If Lucas is using that tone, it can’t be good. How the hell did they get past the gate?

“As I said at the gate, I believe that you have my child, Charlotte,” a woman says in a whiny voice. “I’ve been looking for her everywhere. I had to do some really shady things to get your address, Mr. Reid.”