Page 163 of Safe and Sound

“Play dumb,” he mouthed back.

“What key?”

“Come now, Ava. You and I both know you’re aware of the key that was inside the necklace.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“All right then. I suppose I’ll just tap the detonator in my hand to blow up Taverna by the Sea.”

“NO!” I screamed.

“Then don’t fuck with me, niece.”

“What do you want it for?”

“That’s personal.”

“Killing my nephew was personal, don’t you think?”

“I’m sure your new husband can acquaint you with what we call collateral damage. I’m sure he has the blood of many on his hands from it.”

“Leave me the fuck out of this,” Dare snarled.

Ignoring him, I said, “I would be an idiot to hand over the key without any guarantees about my safety or my daughter’s.”

“What would you like from me?”

“The key for our lives. I give it to you, and you walk away from us.”

“Ava, no!” Dare protested.

“And what reason would I have

“I’m my father’s heir.”

He chuckled. “Do you honestly think our men would follow you? A woman who has never stepped foot in Greece would never lead the Trakos family.”

“You might be surprised. While I might never have been to Greece, I do speak the language. Through my husband’s family we have many allies in your neighbor, Sicily. Besides that, maybe your men still believe in the natural progression of mafia heirs. Maybe they loved my father and have allegiance for him.”

“You assume a lot, Ava. Dimitrios has been dead for thirty-three years. A whole generation never knew him. They show allegiance to me and my son.”

“Then you admit I’m not a threat and should leave me and my family alone.”

A pause came over the line. “While you aren’t, your husband is. Perhaps in his notion of protecting you through marriage he was actually finding a way to expand his family’s power.”

“Bullshite!” Dare growled.

“Is it though? Take a moment and think about what your husband has gained through your marriage.”

Don’t listen to him, Ava. He’s just trying to cause problems between you and Dare. The Kavanaughs have enough power without trying to use you for what you might gain as the Trakos heir.

“This isn’t about my husband. This is about me and my birthright,” I countered.

“I’ll be happy to sit down with you and sign a peace treaty. You give me the key, and I give you and your daughter your lives.”

I stared at Dare to gauge his reaction. His expression was unreadable. “I’m sure you want to meet as soon as possible?”

“I do. How about tomorrow?”

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