Page 140 of Ivory Oath

“I was bleeding.”

The confession hangs in the air for a second before Mikhail exhales. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” The reality of how bad this doctor’s visit could have gone hits me all at once. I swipe the tears off of my cheeks, hoping Mikhail can’t tell I’m crying through the phone. “Everything is fine. The baby is okay.”

Mikhail sighs. “Thank God.”

“But where is Dante? What do you know?”

I don’t actually expect anything. It’s only been a couple hours. How much could Mikhail have done in this short amount of time? Anatoly and I only managed to make it to the hospital and go to an appointment. There’s no way Mikhail was able to find a kidnapped child.

“I know where he is.”

I grip the edge of the exam table to keep from dropping to my knees again. A sob that has been lodged in my throat for the last two hours breaks free. “You found him?”

“I know where he is,” Mikhail repeats. “I don’t have him yet. But I’m on my way.”

“Where?” I blurt.

I can hear Mikhail’s stern frown through the phone. “Viviana needs to go home and rest, Nat. You need to stay with her.”

I guess that means he's done talking to me again.

I snort. “I’m right here. You can talk to me.”

They continue talking to each other, ignoring me entirely. “I’ll stay with her, but tell me where you’re going to be. In case shit goes sideways.” The line goes quiet and Anatoly curses under his breath. “You need to fucking tell me, Mikhail. If something happens to you and Raoul, I want to know how to find you.”

If something happens to you and Raoul.

It was stupid of me to think Dante was the only one in danger here. If someone was willing to risk Mikhail’s wrath to kidnap Dante, they’ll definitely fight to keep him. Mikhail and Raoul and everyone fighting alongside them are putting themselves at risk, too.

I could lose everyone in one night.

“Christos is holding him at an abandoned shopping mall.” Mikhail’s voice shakes and I know he’s feeling the exact same thing I am.

There’s a difference between knowing your son has been kidnapped and then finding out where he is, who has him. It’s been a nightmare from the first second, but now, it feels devastatingly real.

I know where he is, and I need to be there.

“Get the address,” I whisper to Anatoly. “Say you need it for backup.”

Anatoly waves me off, but I elbow him in the side, mouthing for him to ask. Finally, he scowls at me, but says, “Send me the address.”

I’m not sure if Mikhail can hear me whispering, but his response makes me think he can.

“I have backup lined up already. I don’t need you there.”

Anatoly rolls his eyes. “I’m useless to you, I get it. Consider me Plan Z. Backup for your backup.”

“You’re not useless, Nat. I need you to take Viviana home and stay with her. Tie her down if you have to.”

“Hey!”

“I mean it,” Mikhail interrupts. “I can’t worry about anyone or anything else tonight. There’s too much on my plate right now.”

“Then don’t worry about me! That’ll free up some room on your plate,” I snap.

“If I could turn it off, I would,” Mikhail mutters quietly enough that I almost don’t hear him. He clears his throat. “We’re headed to the mall now. I’ll send you the address and update you when there’s something to know. For now, take her home.”

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