Page 148 of Retribution

Leila sleeps next to me in her car seat, thanks to one of my flight attendants. She suggested that I feed her a little of her bottle to help Leila’s ears acclimate as we ascended into the air, which was a life saver.

Our baby is going to be having a lot of firsts this trip. I don’t know what she’s lived through before this, but I’m going to count all of her experiences as her firsts with us.

Oliver is working on his computer while we fly, his brow furrowed as he types. The satellites he pulled up are showing that the auction is on a skeleton crew, and I wish that there was a way to access any past recorded data.

It’s not perfect, but it’s something. There’s no signs of Ophelia, no one is going in or out, and it feels odd.

“Son of a bitch,” Oliver breathes.

He looks up as he realizes he has our attention and sighs.

“I got someone to talk,” he says. “Ophelia’s benefactor was Rock Dresmond. His sons apparently killed him a few months ago, and she’s been struggling with the power imbalance. She’s held her auction house this long because she’s smart and also knows how to provide drugs for the right price.”

“Did she move locations?” I ask.

Oliver winces as he turns the computer around and we see that the auction house and the buildings surrounding it are on fire.

“Isolde isn’t there,” he says, but I feel as if I can’t breathe as it explodes.

“What…the fuck?” I rasp, shaking.

“There would have been more people on property,” Oliver says vehemently, turning the computer back around and typing. “This contact says that Ophelia has been acting dodgy and suspicious since November. All those that run auctions have been discussing whether they should cut and run because they’rebeing targeted. Ophelia is reacting late since she thought her status even without a benefactor was solid.”

“But it’s not,” Grant growls.

“Not according to what I’m seeing. Unless, this is a chance to claim insurance money…”

“What?” Alesso asks when Oliver is quiet for too long. It could be seconds, but none of us can practice the virtue of patience at the moment.

Oliver has his phone in his hand and he’s reading a text message on his phone. There’s WiFi on the flight, as well as the ability to take phone calls. If I need to be in the air, I want to also be able to connect to the world instead of being at the mercy of waiting until I’m on the ground.

The world moves too quickly for that shit.

“Duncan texted me. He says Kane Dresmond blew up the buildings after confirming that Ophelia and Isolde weren’t there. Apparently, all the omegas have been moved that were being housed at Jefferson City Auction house,” Oliver says. “Oh fuck. Now I know where I know those names.”

“As long as the crazy fuckers are on our side,” I say, heart pounding. “That’s one question answered. Ophelia is going to be pissed and extra desperate now.”

“I know, but at least we won’t be fixating on the wrong place,” Oliver says. “Time to find everything that she may have rented or bought. If we have to kick in doors to find her, then we will.”

My hand fists as I struggle not to spiral. There are too many things that could be happening to Isolde that I can’t control.

“No,” Grant says, snapping his fingers in my face.

My lips snarl as I’m tempted to snap my teeth at him. I’m not a goddamned animal.

“Now that I have your attention, get it together. You’re our leader. Fucking act like it.”

Taking a breath so deep that it leaves me lightheaded, I blow it out.

“Get me a list, please,” I say to Oliver. “If Ophelia is running scared, then that’ll mean she’ll get sloppy at some point. We’ll get her then.”

Wherever you are, darlin’…we’ll find you. Hold on.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Isolde

Freezing cold water is dumped over my head, leaving me chattering. I don’t think I’ve been warm since I got here.