Page 19 of Sigma

I angle the device to show him the note. “This just arrived.”

He lets out a long, ragged sigh. “Someone seems to think this is a fucking game, clearly.”

“Whoisthis, Valentine?” I demand. “Gina’s dead, Vitaly’s dead, Cain is dead. Who else could be doing this to us? Using our own story against us?”

At this point in our lives, the details of how we met have been the subject of news articles, documentaries, streaming specials, and even a feature film with A-list actors.

“I have no idea,” Valentine growls. “We’re looking into it. But so far, whoever is behind this has covered their tracks pretty damn well.”

“I’m guessing I’ll get another delivery tomorrow,” I say.

“Agreed.”

“If they follow the story, after the last check is delivered, someone will come for me.”

Valentine snarls wordlessly. “And you willnotbe getting in.”

“ThefuckI won’t,” I snap. “If this asshole has my daughter and wants me in return, I’m going and you’ll just have to figure out how to get us both back.”

“Kyrie—” he starts.

“This isn’t a discussion, my love,” I say, gentling my voice. “There is nothing I will not do for my children.Nothing.”

He’s silent. “Same. But…”

“There’s nothing to say.” I pause. “He has Rinna.”

“Harris,” Valentine says.

“I’m here,” Harris answers, taking my phone from me. “We’re working on it, you know we are.”

“Work harder, goddammit,” Valentine growls.

Harris breathes out softly, knuckling the bridge of his nose. “Valentine, you know I’m doing everything I can. That girl is a second daughter to me.”

“I know, I know,” Valentine sighs. “If something happens to Rin…”

“Nothing will happen to her. That serves no purpose. This is about you guys, not Rin. She’s just a point of leverage.”

“You don’t know that,” I say.

“No, I don’t, not for sure,” he answers, “but it’s just logical. What value is there in Rin by herself except as your daughter—as an avenue to you guys?”

“This isn’t some grab to get ransom,” Duke says, joining us. “It was too precise. Some yahoos out for a few million in a cash ransom, it’d be sloppy and messy and you’d be getting fingers or some shit. This is personal.”

“Getting fingers, Duke?” Layla snaps. “Really, asshole?”

“Sorry, I’m just—” Duke starts.

“Duke is right,” I cut in. “As far as we know, she’s unharmed. This is absolutely personal. We just have no clue who could be behind it, because as far as we know, all of our enemies are dead.”

Harris blows out a breath. “Right. So, for now, we wait. I hate it, but we need more to go on. I’ll have this most recent note examined by forensics as well, but so far, there’s been nothing.”

I look around at Duke, Layla, and Harris. “I need to talk to Val alone.”

They nod and I take my phone into the bedroom. Close the door. “You really have no idea, Val?”

“You know all my secrets, Key.”