Page 83 of Stolen Matrimony

“We need to find out what she knows about us,” I mentioned.

“I’ll handle it,” Ezra said, causing all eyes to fall on him. He was still locked onto the picture. “Send me her address and I’ll pay her a visit.”

“We don’t need any more attention on us than necessary, Ez. I think Lucas sho?—”

“I got it,” he said, this time a little firmer. My eyes narrowed and I glanced at the screen.

“He can do it.” Lucas waved us off. “I’ve got more pressing matters to handle. You said her sister was thirteen when she went missing.”

“Lucas,” I warned at the same time Emmet said, “Yeah.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Cashlynn asked.

“Where did it happen?” Lucas asked as he leaned forward, ignoring Cashlynn.

Emmet tapped the keys on his laptop a couple times and an old article popped on the screen. “On her way from school. She was on the volleyball team; on her way home from practice but never came home.”

Lucas tapped his finger on the table. His jaw clenched.

“What else do you know about Ziora?” I asked, bringing the subject back to what was important.

“She’s good at covering her tracks and practically making herself a ghost, but I did find some things…” Emmet went on telling us what he found about Ziora. While he spoke, I made sure to keep an eye on Lucas who had become twitchy, his face riddled with irritation. In the end I didn’t think she could be a major threat, but I still didn’t want to take any chances given her dedication to attacking my family’s name.

River spoke up once Emmet finished his coverage of Ziora. “I found out where Neil’s safe house is. Apparently, it’s where he’s hiding out.”

“Where is it?” Cashlynn asked, sitting straighter. Reaching over, I placed my hand on her knee. She cut her eyes at me and I shook my head.

“What do we know about it?” I asked.

“He’s got about nine or ten guys there with him. They don’t look like major threats, just some low-level thugs he’s paying to keep guard.”

I nodded and glanced at Cashlynn. Steam damn near blew from her ears. Her face was red and her lips pinched together.

“Keep an eye on him.”

“What? No we need to?—”

I put my hands up to shut Cashlynn down then faced River. “Make sure your guys keep an eye on Neil so he doesn’t disappear. Let him get comfortable then we’ll take him out.”

River nodded. “On it.” He pulled his phone out.

“Also put the word out. There’s a hundred and fifty thousand bounty on his head and I want him alive.”

“Nazai,” Lucas called out.

“That’s it.” I dismissed everyone, ignoring my brother’s protest. “Until Neil is taken care of and we get a handle over the Ziora situation, we’ll hold off on business.”

Cashlynn sat next to me pouting, not happy about my decision, but I paid it no mind.

Before he could make an exit, I approached Lucas, pulling him to the side. “I know where your head is and leave it alone,” I told him.

His expression was blank as he stared at me. “Lucas, you need to move on. Adrian’s been gone for years and it’s more than likely she’s not even alive anymore. The more you obsess over her, the more you hold yourself back. Just because the girl that disappeared was the same age as her doesn’t mean they’re connected. Let it go.”

His face stayed blank and he snatched away from me. “What I choose to worry about in my spare time is my business.”

He went to walk away, but I grabbed him again. “This is me coming to you as your older brother. I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine. Adrian’s body was never discovered which means there’s no guarantee she was killed. Until I get shown otherwise, I’m not giving up.”