Page 82 of Be Very Quiet

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Luca hated to see Liliana in pain. “We don’t know that for sure.”

“Don’t baby me, Luca. You know as well as I do that he has her.”

“They are following up on security camera footage now,” Reese told them. “I’ll keep you posted.”

“I’m going to take her upstairs. If you need anything from me, call.”

Reese nodded.

Luca instructed Audria to stay with the authorities while he and Christian took Liliana to the condo. She moved on autopilot, and it was all he could do to refrain from gathering her into his arms and hugging her tight. If not for Christian, he would have indulged in his instinct.

Once they entered the condo, Liliana tried Shonda’s number again, knowing she wouldn’t answer. She picked up Smoke, buried her face in his fur, and headed dejectedly to her bedroom. Luca wanted to follow, but there was something he needed to do first.

“I’m sorry about calling you out earlier.”

Christian shook his head. “Don’t be. I deserved it.”

“No, you didn’t. You never expected her to deceive you. Plus, her skills rival ours. You saw her in action against Speke. I’d have had to tie her up, and we both know that wouldn’t have flown.”

Christian chuckled. “She’d have gotten out of any binds we put on her.”

“Exactly. I overreacted, and again, I apologize. I trust you implicitly.”

Christian nodded. “Apology accepted.”

“I’m going to check on her.”

Luca thought she would be changing her clothes or brushing her teeth. He didn’t plan on finding her curled up on the bathroom rug, sobbing her eyes out, with Smoke clutched in her grip.

“Oh, honey.” His heart cracked in two as he gathered her in his arms and held her while she cried, wishing he could absorb her pain. Smoke butted his head against her, trying to do the same.

“He killed her, Luca.”

As much as he wanted to reassure her, the words stuck in his throat. There was an excellent possibility that her best friend was suffering an unimaginable fate. All he could do was hold her and love her, and that’s exactly what he did.

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Liliana never thought she’d be able to sleep last night, but tucked into Luca’s arms was her safe place, and she was able to rest. She feared dreams would plague her, but Luca’s powerful presence kept them at bay. She didn’t wake up refreshed, but she felt as if she might be able to make it through the next few hours.

Breakfast was out since her stomach was still in knots. Although she wanted to climb back into bed—into Luca’s arms—she had a business to run. It wouldn’t stop because she was having a crisis. Besides, she needed to keep her mind occupied so she didn’t go crazy worrying about what her friend might be enduring. Luca reached over and clasped her hand as they drove to her studio. She clung to him, absorbing his strength. Smoke slept contentedly in her lap.

They were the first to arrive, so Liliana deactivated the alarm, and they entered the building. Audria peeled off to clear the women’s locker room while Christian did the same to the men’s. Luca checked the other rooms while she entered her office and placed Smoke on his bed. He curled up and went to sleep.

After stuffing her bag in the credenza behind her desk, Liliana removed the lightweight jacket she used to cover the bulletproof vest and discarded it as well. Then she headed to the bathroom to grab the watering can to nourish the plants.

Liliana twisted the handle on the door to open it and froze. Then she screamed.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Luca lost twenty years of his life when Liliana screamed. It was the most terrifying sound he’d ever heard. He reversed course and sprinted to her office to see her standing in the doorway of her private bathroom with her hands covering her mouth.

“Liliana, honey, what is it?”

She was in full-blown shock and didn’t answer him. Christian and Audria had joined him with their guns drawn. He eased around her to peer inside. His stomach roiled, and he backed out. “Oh, no.”

“Luca,” Liliana wailed.

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