Page 150 of Bishop

“See? You can’t.” I hold my chin high in victory. “So you have no experience in this, whereas I’ve manipulated information out of—”

“Nobody wants to know your stats, Abri,” he sneers my name. “This isn’t just about manipulation. It’s about safety. About being able to protect yourself.”

“I laid you on your ass, didn’t I?” I smile sweetly. “I can do it again right now if you want.”

I probably couldn’t.

A blindsided attack is one thing. An anticipated strike against a far bigger and stronger target is plain stupid. But my ego has climbed into the ring alongside my impatience, fear, and annoyance. I’m a volatile mix on the cusp of detonation.

“I’ve manipulated more men than you’ve interrogated, Bishop. I’m also the one who gets to call the shots. Remember?” I turn my attention to Lorenzo who stops beside the man of the moment. “That’s what you said earlier, right?”

“I did.” My uncle inclines his head, his expression somber. “But if I overheard correctly, this isn’t something I feel you should do on your own.”

“Then I’ll have backup. Remy and Salvatore can be on sentry duty from the shadows.”

“Not going to happen,” Bishop barks.

“I assure you it is, because I’ve already made the arrangements to meet with Geppet tomorrow.”

The few seconds of shock-filled silence are cathartic before my brothers all bark questions.

“What?”

“When?”

“Are you serious?”

Bishop doesn’t speak. Instead, he talks to me through eyes that harden with the edge of rage yet also peer back at me with the same betrayal I felt moments ago.

“I won’t let you do it,” he states.

“You won’t be here to stop me. You’ll already be gone.”

“For fuck’s sake, you’re infuriating,” he roars. “If it’s me you’ve taken issue with then I’ll organize Dyker. Or—”

“You won’t do a damn thing. This is my situation to control. My daughter. My choice.”

“You’re not putting yourself at risk, Abri. I won’t allow it.”

My throat aches with sudden dryness. Is that what this is really about? Not control, but protection?

Don’t you dare weaken again.

“I will ensure your safety.” Lorenzo gives me a sad smile. “My workforce may be stretched thin after Emmanuel’s impromptu culling, but I will call in a team of men to provide backup for whatever you have planned. There’s more than enough time for them to arrive before tomorrow morning.”

Why won’t they fucking listen?

I don’t want his team. I don’t need additional liabilities.

If my mother is behind Geppet reaching out to meet in person, then I can’t be seen with my brothers, let alone a hoard of my uncle’s cronies.

And if she’s not?

This is Geppet we’re talking about. I’ve spoken to him a million times before. He’s flirted with me for years, for Christ’s sake. He’s barely a threat compared to the capabilities of the other men I’ve manipulated.

“We will be with you every step of the way,” Lorenzo continues, “until we get your daughter back.”

That pointed knife stabs through my chest again. This time it cuts harder. Deeper.

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