Page 63 of Be Very Quiet

“That’s right. How did . . . another package?”

“Yep.”

“I’ll send a car to pick it up.”

Chapter Twenty

Liliana didn’t get much rest last night, and sadly, it wasn’t because of any nocturnal activity with Luca. Audria had suffered a concussion, no matter how mild. Liliana had made it her mission to wake her every couple of hours to make sure she was okay. She’d grumbled each time, but there seemed to be no lingering effects except some bruising where her head had contacted the window.

Audria had wanted to go back out tonight in an effort to attract The Mortician, but Luca had nixed the idea. She’d been injured, and he refused to allow her to try again. Liliana was glad. The likelihood of Rader picking her wasn’t good, and it wasn’t worth the risk, in her opinion. No one wanted a repeat of what had happened with Ed Beck.

Liliana’s phone vibrated with another text from her good friend, Nina Poole. She’d notified Liliana earlier that she couldn’t come in, so one of the subs would teach her class tonight.

Nina had been pressing Liliana for all the spicy details on Luca. She’d been there the evening he’d arrived and swore that she could feel the sparks flying between Luca and Liliana. As much as she wanted to admit her feelings, once Rader was caught, Luca would leave, and she would be left to pick up the pieces. It was better to keep the specifics of the relationship vague, and that’s what she’d done.

Liliana clicked on the message and gasped. It was a picture of Nina stripped to her bra and panties and tied to a bed. She looked absolutely terrified.

“Everything okay?” Audria looked up from her computer. Luca and Christian had left a few minutes ago, but she didn’t know where they went.

“Oh, yes. Fine.”

Liliana’s breath sawed in and out as she read the text.

You for her. If I see that goon hanging out with you, I will kill her. Come alone, or she dies. This is not a joke. I will end her life.

An address was added to the end of the message. It was in an area about fifteen minutes away.

Liliana debated what to do. She couldn’t leave Nina to suffer at the hands of The Mortician, but she couldn’t tell Luca either. She didn’t doubt Rader would make good on his promise to kill Nina.

Liliana stood abruptly. “Actually, there’s an issue in the women’s locker room. I’ll be right back.”

“Need help?”

“No, it won’t take a minute.”

Liliana concentrated on walking normally. If Audria had any idea what was happening, she’d stop her from going. Liliana had to save her employee and friend. Nina was innocent and shouldn’t have been dragged into Liliana’s mess.

She waved at Shonda as she passed her office. Kasey was on the phone, so she simply pushed through the doors, waiting until she was far enough away to run. Taxis cruised the streets constantly, so she had no problem flagging one down. She gave the man the address and silently urged him to go faster.

Liliana decided to wait until she got to the location before forwarding the text to Luca. That way, the person holding Nina would see she was alone, but not for long. Luca would come for her.

She watched the addresses as they navigated the streets. “That’s it.” When the driver pulled to the curb, she paid him before walking to the rendezvous point.

“Ms. Lima?”

She turned to see a thin man with shaggy hair and beard, wearing worn clothes. “Yes.”

He didn’t make eye contact. “I’m supposed to show you to your meeting.”

She followed the man around the building and down a litter-covered alley. It smelled like rotten eggs and sour milk. Apprehension rose. Clandestinely, she opened the text and forwarded it to Luca.

“I’m very sorry, Ms. Lima.”

“Why are you—”

Before she could get the words out, he placed a cloth over her mouth. The scent was strong. Cloying. She started to fight back, but whatever chemical he used was too strong, and the darkness overtook her.

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