Page 131 of Stolen Voices

Realization hits me. She’s been told this before, that the suspect is unidentifiable.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her to my chest. “I know this is hard to hear and is probably bringing back a ton of memories, but I’m not giving up, okay?”

She nods, but I can sense her skepticism.

“I want you to look at the picture anyway and see if something about the guy stands out to you. But I won’t force you if you don’t want to look. I know the fall was scary, and I don’t want to upset you.”

“No, I want to look.”

My brave girl. She has the heart and strength of a survivor.

“Okay, good.” Now, the hard part. “I’ve also been digging into Silla.”

Callie rears back in shock. “Eli, no—”

I cover her mouth with my hand. I knew Silla was going to be a tricky subject to bring up, but after everything Callie told me about their shared past, something about the story didn’t sit right with me.

“Will you please hear me out?” She nods in agreement, so I remove my hand and continue. “Thank you. I know you want to wait until December, but I can’t sit around and do nothing. You deserve to be free from Silla. We can’t wait another four months with her lurking around. She has to go. Do you understand me?”

“I do, but I’m scared she’s going to hurt my mom. I can’t let that happen. Not again. I—”

“Shh, I won’t let anything happen to you or your mom. I promise. I’ve got you. Do you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you. You saved my life. Twice. There isn’t anyone on this planet I trust more than you.”

Her faith in me has my chest puffing, full-on peacock style. I’d kiss her if I didn’t need to get this conversation over with pronto.

“Thank you.” I peck her luscious lips because I can’t help myself. “My brothers are helping, so everything they find out is completely secure. Mason, who works in cyber banking security, is pulling together all of Silla’s financial records so we can follow the money. And Jace, as you know, is a lawyer and he’s working with some old colleagues to find copies of your father’s will and trust, as well as the conservatorship documents. Do you, by chance, have any copies?”

“Maybe. I might have some stuff hidden. But, uh…” Callie nervously tugs on the end of her French braid.

“But what?” I prod.

Callie looks pained to admit whatever’s bugging her. “Well, Silla likes to go into my apartment and take things, especially contracts and paperwork. She likes to remind me who’s in charge. I’m honestly surprised she hasn’t started looking for me yet.”

Anger boils below the surface as I mull over this new information. Not only has Silla been manipulating Callie to work for her but that bitch has been psychologically fucking with my girl’s head, making her feel unsafe and systematically wiping away evidence. There is no way in hell I am going to stand by and let this shit play out for the next couple of months.

I am going to put an end to Silla Treymonde. And if I find out Silla is behind all this, I’m going to bury her. She will pay for the cruelty she’s given to Callie.

“Are you done eating? Or are you still hungry?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Hold on, princess.”

Callie does as I ask, and wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, as I stand and carry her over to the couch. I keep her straddled around me as I sit down and lean back into the soft cushions.

“I could have walked,” she says with a sweet, kissable smile. The skin on my neck tingles as her fingers continue to toy with the hair on my nape.

“How many times do I have to tell you? I like carrying you.” I wink at her.

She blushes a sexy shade of pink as she whispers, “I like it too,” under her breath.

Unable to stop myself, I grip the back of her neck and bring her lips to mine for a quick, hard kiss, smacking her lips playfully.

Callie giggles, and it’s the sweetest fucking sound.

“What’s so funny?”