Page 62 of Thorns of Blood

“Good.” We’d started delivering products to the Corsicans six months ago and it had proven lucrative, if only those idiots would get their shit together. “What time are we scheduled to drop off the crates?”

He never looked away from the TV screen. “Eight.”

Good, I preferred to get all my business done in the morning.

“We’ll take the small boat to shore,” I told him.

This time he looked at me. “You think she’ll run if we dock?”

“She won’t.” Actually, I didn’t know, but I didn’t want to admit it to myself, never mind him. “But I’m not risking it. Let’s just get there first, okay?”

LIANA

“Boss, are you listening to me?” José’s voice boomed from the other side of the line.

My spine snapped upright, and I shoved my thoughts of Giovanni away. I hadn’t seen him all day, and his absence was gnawing at me, spinning my mind. It wasn’t a feeling I was familiar with.

I’d manicured my nails. I’d made enough origami to overflow a dumpster. It was how I found myself in his office, but he wasn’t here as I expected.

“Yes, José, no need to shout,” I answered. Steady rainfall surrounded me, the sound soothing. Like standing under the protection of an umbrella. “Now, can you repeat what you said?”

His heavy sigh filled the line.

“Were you kidnapped or not?” José demanded. “Why is your location turned off?”

He wanted to get a crew of men and come after me. Except, he had no idea where I was—and neither did I. Telling him I was floating around the ocean certainly wouldn’t narrow things down.

“It’s probably the doing of my kidnapper. And yes, I was kidnapped, but?—”

“Then I should come for you.”

“No.” My voice was soft, but the message was non-negotiable. “Not yet. If I need you, I’ll find a way to let you know my location.”

“I’ve been losing my mind looking for you. It’s like you disappeared without a trace.”

“I know. It certainly wasn’t in my plans to get kidnapped in such a manner.” I sighed tiredly. The sea air certainly had a way of tiring out a person. “Now, tell me what’s new with our business.”

“Kian is demanding you call him,” he said. “The first chance you have.”

My jaw clenched.

The reminder of my failed promise and betrayal brought a bitter taste to my mouth. I didn’t have many scruples left, but disloyalty to someone who’d helped me didn’t make me feel good about myself.

“Have we heard anything about Atticus?”

“No, he’s gone underground.”

Before I called Kian, I needed to know if Atticus Popov had made contact with him. Each of the men were formidable in their own way, and although my loyalties first and foremost lay with me, I promised Kian I wouldn’t betray him.

After all, he was one of the reasons I’d survived Perez. Atticus, on the other hand, was something else entirely. He was able to deliver me Emory and that liver that Amara so desperately needed.

Atticus Popov was an actual mobster disguised as a legitimate gentleman who, along with his son, Danil, held more power than royalty. Making an enemy out of them would be stupid.

“Okay, and The Mistress. Have we been able to get her identity?”

“Negative. We don’t have much to go on.”

“I gave you a fairly detailed description.”