Page 44 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

“To use herself as bait to stop the DeLuca’s”

“You can’t let her do that,” my father argues.

“Of course, I can’t let her do that, but I have to find a way to get there. If Carlos and Andreas flew her back on the jet in the middle of the night, they won’t be willing to send it back to pick me up. I have to find a commercial flight.”

My father grabs his laptop off the desk. “Then let’s find you a way back.” My mother pulls out her phone to help with the search.

“The only thing I can find is the six thirty flight nothing sooner.” Mom says, her voice full of despair.

“That’s all I have too. Everything else is full.”

“Book the ticket while we look some more. I can’t wait until six thirty tonight, but I won’t risk not having a flight at all. I don’t care if I have to book a hundred different tickets to get to her.”

Mom lays her hand on my shoulder. “Six thirty is the only flight.”

I know she’s right. I don’t want to admit that I will have to wait hours before I can make sure she’s safe. All of my texts to her have gone unanswered. The thought of her getting hurt again is more than enough to convince me to drive to New York if I have to, even though I know a plane will be faster.

And even though we’ve booked one flight, I don’t stop searching.

We even try airports in nearby cities for small plane rentals. There’s absolutely nothing.

One thing is for sure, I will never forgive myself if I get there too late.

* * *

Scarlett

Dressed and ready, I pick up my phone and look at the Facebook app. I know this is the last step. Knowing this is the last step and taking it are two different things. Dressed in a strapless black dress with a skirt ending near midthigh, I’ve been sitting ready on the edge of the bed for the last hour, building up the courage I’ll need for the night.

Nico’s texts had stopped a few hours ago. I wanted to answer him so badly, but my fear that he would talk me out of what I needed to do kept me from even looking at them.

I open the app. Time to go. “Happy to be back to normal. Can’t wait to get a drink Obsidian tonight.” I hit post and stand. Hopefully, Elena takes the bait.

There are guards waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

“Evening Mrs. Romero.”

“Hello, gentlemen. Are you clear with the plan?”

The one opens the front door, letting me step through first. “Yes. We’ll take you to Obsidian and valet the car. Once we escort you in, we’ll make ourselves scarce looking out for anyone from the DeLuca family.”

The other guard opens the door for me to get into the car. “And everyone knows what Elena DeLuca looks like?”

“Yes, we’ve given everyone a copy of her picture. If she’s there, we’ll know.”

The driver starts the car. “Are you sure we should be trying to lure her to neutral territory?”

I sit back on the seat and place my purse in my lap. “She’ll show, neutral territory or not. And it’s better than being trapped on their territory.

My fingers drum out a rhythm on my thigh on the ride over. It’s only about twenty minutes, but it gives me time to go over the entire plan in my head one more time.

The lights of the club’s exterior shine bright into the night. It’s different from the lights in Miami’s clubs. With their flashing bright pinks and neon yellows, they beckon you to come join the fun. The sign in muted white and a blue back light attempts to scream sophistication. Only the elite are welcome here.

We all know that isn’t the case. Elite doesn’t mean class and money, as long as you have the second, they’ll welcome you with open arms. The outside of Miami is true to the inside of Miami. I know what I’m getting from the moment I walk up. Most places in New York are nothing more than smoke and mirrors. You see one thing, but when you step inside, it’s exactly what you find in the places with flashing neon signs.

Men and women throwing back shots like their lives depended on it. The children of New York’s wealthy elite come here to hide the fact that they party just like everyone else.

Tonight, they might get more than they bargained for.

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