Page 18 of Thorns of Blood

Kian raised an eyebrow. “If you call that alive.”

“Explain.”

Kian huffed a dry laugh, putting his mug down on the table.

“That woman survived your uncle and my brother, and that crazy bitch Sofia. You can’t possibly think she came out unscathed.” I felt my teeth gnash, my hands fisting. “Lia… They broke her, every last shred of her heart frozen into stone, her insides burning with red-hot hatred. The only thing keeping her alive and somewhat sane is the girl.”

“So her daughter is her weakness,” I said pensively.

He looked up, meeting my gaze. “You take her daughter away and she’ll wreak havoc on the underworld.”

“What makes you think I’d ever take her daughter from her?”

I wasn’t the monster my uncle was.

“Because her daughter belongs to Killian Cullen and Emory DiLustro.” This confirmed some of the information Mateo had shared with me, and before I could say anything else, Kian continued. “She saved that child, and it’s the kind of love that looks beyond one’s offenses against others and only calls to the soul. That child is the only thing keeping her from diving into the depths of hell and not looking back.”

“Knowing Emory DiLustro, she won’t rest until she finds her daughter,” I pointed out.

“Indeed.”

“And how is it that you know so much about Liana’s life now?” There was something about this man that didn’t add up. I knew he kept mostly to himself, but it was clear he had his hands in different organizations, collecting favors from prominent and powerful families.

“I keep myself apprised,” he answered vaguely. “Any smart businessman”—translation,criminal—“keeps tabs on his friends and enemies.”

“I feel like there’s something else you’re not telling me.” I studied the man across from me for any reaction, but there was none. Still, I learned a long time ago not to ignore my instincts. “Something big.”

He let out a sardonic noise. “There is nothing small about anything that Liana does.”

“Meaning?”

A heartbeat of silence passed before he asked, “Have you heard of the Marabella Agreements?”

“Only recently,” I admitted, remembering it came up during one of the Omertà updates. “Children of prominent figures are sold using it, but the access to those is limited.”

He nodded.

“Did you know Liana came up with the business plan five years ago and made it more profitable for Santiago and Perez?” Shock rolled through me. “Not many people know, but once they find out, everyone will be after her, just like they were after Benito King.” Benito King had a similar business going, but called it Belles & Mobsters. “She’ll need protection, and her secret compound won’t provide that for her or Amara anymore.”

I stored that piece of information for later use, if need be.

“Where in Venezuela is Liana Volkov?” I asked softly.

“She doesn’t want to be found,” he started calmly. “But considering she kidnapped Emory DiLustro recently and the fact that Killian is about to go after her, I’ll tell you. If we can avoid any more unnecessary deaths, we should.”

“Why did she kidnap the child’s mother?” I inquired. “Does she mean to harm Emory?”

Maybe Liana Volkov was a lot further gone than Kian Cortes realized. Those who had even the slightest moral compass refused to hurt women and children. It was an unwritten rule, yet it seemed Liana didn’t uphold it.

“Amara is sick, and if I had to guess, Liana’s desperate to help her.”

“What’s wrong with her?” None of it made any sense, and it made even less sense that this man knew so much.

“Her liver’s failing,” Kian answered as if that explained it all. “Now, I need your promise.”

“And what would that be?”

He eyed me and a smirk crossed his lips as he quipped, “You’ll grant Liana her quest for revenge.”