Page 50 of Reign

“You’re sure?”

“Yes! Yes.Meet me in my dreamswas plane.Think of me when the lights goout was club/warehouse/building.You hold the key to my heartmeant she’d been taken to someone’s compound.Remember me by the seawas boat. We created the code in case she was ever taken again and they made her call or write or text goodbye or communicate for proof of life to give me some direction.”

There’s silence on the other end of the line.

“What are you thinking, Nikita?”

“The marina.” It comes out almost as a whisper. “It’s why no one has laid eyes on Mateo’s plane.”

Suddenly it clicks. “He came by boat.”

Which means we have no idea how long he’s been here.

Twenty-One

Libby/Daniella/Isabel

A POUNDING FIST ON THE front door sends me scurrying down the hallway to the foyer.

Nikita and Joelle step inside just as the first drops of rain start to fall in the angry evening sky. I peek my head outside and look up. “Jesus, this can’t be a good sign.”

“Let’s hope he stays docked at the marina,” Nikita says as he removes a black rain jacket to reveal a heather gray Henley underneath that would steal my breath if Dom hadn’t stolen it already. I’m seeing Nikita in jeans for the first time, and like me, he has his pistol securely fastened at his hip.

Joelle pulls me in for a hug and whispers in my ear, “I’m so ready for this to be over.”

I squeeze her tightly and confirm, “Me too.”

I lead them to the office where Dom’s still gripping Camila’s note in his hand like it might magically make her appear.

“Obviously, we can’t all show up at the marina together. Dominic, can you be overwatch? I need Diego with me if I stand a chance of getting anywhere near that boat.”

“What about me?” I pipe up.

Dominic shoots me a look. “No fucking way are you going down there, Lib. The man’s already sold youtwiceand you know we think it’s his plan to do it a third time. You can’t get anywhere near him.”

“Dominic,” I say through gritted teeth while giving him a false smile. “What have I told you about not sitting on the sidelines while you risk your life. Where you go, I go. Besides, Camila is my friend too. I’ve proven my ability to do this when I saved your life by putting a bullet through your brother. I’m not asking again.”

Nikita and Joelle both turn to look at me, mouths agape. I guess we haven’t mentioned that part of the story.

Nikita closes his mouth first. “We’re going to need all the help we can get, Dominic. She can be overwatch with you, but if she can handle it, it would be nice to have a second pair of eyes up there.”

Dominic doesn’t agree, but he doesn’t argue either. He pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes. Most likely so he calms down before he throws a punch at Nikita for being on my side. It’s as close as we’re going to get to him being on board with this plan. I wrap an arm around his waist and pull myself into his side.

“I can do this. Trust me.”

He peers down at me, his hand snaking around my back. “I do trust you but he’s already gotten Camila and I can’t be distracted making sure he doesn’t get you too.”

“All the more reason for me to stay with you. Then you know I’m safe without worrying about me being back here.”

Dominic looks at Nikita before flashing a quick look at Joelle. “Can’t we lock them in the safe room?” he pleads.

“She’s absolutely welcome in there with Jo,” Nikita starts, “But I stand by what I said. We could use the eyes.”

Dom lets out a frustrated, pissed off growl because he knows I’m not going in that damn room.

Suddenly a thought occurs to me and I direct my question at Nikita. “If Mateo’s already gotten ahead of us again, and you’re working behind everyone’s back, how do we know we can trust the information your cousin gave us?” I ask Nikita.

“Because I didn’t call my cousin to get it. I called Ivan.” He shoots Dominic a look. “The man you heard at the dock. If I’d questioned Alexei, he’d have gone straight to Mateo…or his father.”

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