Page 61 of Wrathful King

“She’ll try to come as soon as possible,” Athena said, and I thought I saw Raven shoot her a glare, but I couldn’t be sure because she was sort of nodding her head, smiling.

Isla hooked her arm around me and pulled me into her.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Isla said, and I swallowed a lump in my throat, images and sounds I’d been trying to forget rolling through my mind. My throat tightened and I knew it’d be pointless to open my mouth because I wouldn’t be able to utter a single syllable. “You want to talk about it?”

I shook my head, returning my attention to the horizon.

“You don’t have to,” Athena murmured softly. “We’re just happy you’re safe.”

“That’s right,” Raven agreed. “All the Omertà shit can go to hell.” I shot her a curious look. It was an odd comment to make. She waved her hand in response. “Isla’s husband is hunting for Sofia Volkov like his life depends on it. Of course, Athena and Manuel arehelping.” She drew out the word, shooting a look at our friend, then rolling her eyes.

Athena flipped her off.

“Ignore those two. Anyhow, Enrico’s convinced that he can get to Sofia through her daughter, which I disagree with,” Isla added, frowning. “Liana shouldn’t be the one to pay for her mother’s sins.”

Alert shot through me.

“Liana?” The word was out of my mouth before I could think. “You don’t mean… No, it can’t be. W-what does she look like?” I looked between the girls, crossing my arms over my chest and rocking back and forth, my breath catching. “Light golden eyes?”

They studied me. “Yes…” Isla whispered, dumbfounded.

“Dark blonde hair?” I asked, and Isla nodded. “Honey color?” Another nod. “How do you know her?”

“Remember when we were in that nightclub in Moscow?”

“Yeah…?” It seemed like a different lifetime. A different me. Isla had flown back home to Russia and we’d met up in Moscow.

“I ran into her. She seemed… normal.”

I chewed on my bottom lip. My short time with the girl who called herself Liana lingered in the back of my mind. It had to be the same one. That would make her an illegitimate daughter too, and she’d seemed to know a thing or two about the underworld. I probably wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for her. I didn’t imagine all that. Right?

“Her English is good?” I asked.

“Perfect, in fact,” Isla confirmed.

A shudder zipped down my spine and goosebumps rose on my skin. “I think I saw her when—” I swallowed a lump in my throat. “She was auctioned before me.”

Three sets of eyes widened in shock. “You were auctioned?”

“Something about illegitimate mafia princesses,” I muttered, then a worry pierced my chest as another ounce of doubt made its way into my heart. “You’re sure Phoenix is okay?”

“Yes.” The answer came from all three at the same time, but there was something off. “Can we FaceTime her? I haven’t been able to get through to her. I know she’s been waiting for her big break for years, but… I just can’t believe she hasn’t even tried to call.”

Nothing would stop Phoenix from replying to my text messages or calling me. Even when she was really sick all those years ago and had to be admitted to the private clinic, she would message me every day. That was the only time we’d ever been apart. This was out of character for her.

“She’s been so busy, they’re having their most promising year so far. Maestro Andrea keeps them all on a tight leash,” Athena offered.

“You know how Maestro can be,” Isla chimed in.

My eyes landed on Raven and a heartbeat passed.

“For fuck’s sake,” Raven said exasperatedly, flapping her hands in the air. “We should tell her. This isn’t helping her.”

I swallowed. “Tell me what?”

“Don’t,” Athena warned her softly. “She’s—”Cutting herself, she mouthed. Did they think I was suddenly blind?

“Don’t what?” I asked, eerily calm while a tornado whirled inside me. If anyone dared lay a hand on Phoenix, I would skin them alive.