Page 174 of Dance of Deception

There’s just silence in reply.

“MOM!!”

I stumble further inside, scanning the space quickly. Nothing looks out of place. No overturned furniture, or other sign of a struggle.

I move toward the bedroom, my pulse hammering as I push the door open?—

Click.

Every muscle in my body stiffens at the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked behind me.

“Turn around.”

No.

It’s the voice that hits me even harder than the sound of the gun cocking, even as I start to turn around.

Vera stands behind me, a gun leveled directly at my chest.

For a second, my brain is unable to process what I’m looking at. What this whole scenariois. It makes no sense. Like a glitch in the matrix.

She tilts her head, her grip on the gun steady.

“Sit down, Lyra.” Her voice is calm, almost bored. “We've got a lot to talk about.”

38

CARMINE

The phone rings.And rings. And fuckingrings.

No answer from Lyra.

I stare at her name on the screen. My fingers tighten around the phone, my pulse a slow, steady throb.

Something is off. Something isreallyoff.

I read the second text from her again.

Lyra

Please just get Bianca safe. I can’t explain now. She and my mom are in danger.

I sit there for one more second, then I’m pacing the room, dialing another number.

Bianca not answering has my pulse spiking. Then I try Kratos.

He picks up on the fourth ring, sounding annoyed. “Carmy, I’m a little tied up?—”

“Where the fuck is my sister?!” I snarl.

“Carmine—”

“Bianca!” I roar. “Where thefuckis she?!”

“Take it easy man, she’s right here,” he growls.

“Is that my brother?” I hear my sister’s voice say lazily in the background. “Carmine, let me explain something to you about cycles and optimum fertility windows.”

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