Page 78 of A Fine Line

“Then we try again,” Matt says sarcastically. “We can’t be changing our flight plan in the air, Tony. That’s not how it works.”

“Who says?”

“The fucking aviation government people. Do you want to draw attention to yourself while moving at high speed through the air without reporting it? Depending on where you are and where you’re going, you’re likely to get shot.”

I sigh heavily but don’t bother arguing with him. Instead, I turn to Nettie and ask, “Can you make arrangements for Flora?”

“Yes,” she replies. “I’ll get it sorted and be ready in thirty.”

I watch her leave the room and then turn my glare to Dare and Matt. “Do you guys know anything?”

They glance at each other and then look back at me, and Dare says, “No, Tony. I sure as shit don’t know anything.”

Then Matt adds calmly, “I don’t know anything, Tony. And to be clear, not telling anyone Lilith wasn’t dead is different than this. If I knew anything, I’d tell you.”

I stare at him for a beat, knowing that he wouldn’t lie to me when asked outright but annoyed that it isn’t going to be that simple. Finally, I choke out, “Why would she leave?”

“At this point, it’s likely instinctive for her to lead the enemy away from the people she cares about,” Dare replies. “It’s basically what any of us would do if the ball was in our court.”

“But she knows I’ll go after her. She must know there’s no chance in hell I would sit back and wait to see how it pans out. Her and Lilith both know this about me.”

“And that’s exactly why they got such a head start,” Matt replies. “They had the perfect opportunity to get as much distance between them and us as possible before we would even find out they were gone.”

Dare walks toward me, stopping in front of me, and placing his hands on my shoulders, leaning in as he looks me in the eye. “And don’t forget they’re both smart. Carolina has managed to keep herself alive all on her own for this long, and lord fucking knows Lilith Ferro won’t do anything she thought would put her in harm’s way. Lilith may take risks at her own expense, but she does not take risks at the expense of others.”

I inhale deeply, allowing my heart to calm as I mull over his words. I know he’s right; both women have been surviving on their own, without the help of any man, for most of their existence. But it doesn’t take away my natural instinct to protect them. “It’s the man’s fucking job to protect the people he cares about.”

Nettie snorts from behind me. “Actually, it’s everyone’s job to protect the people they care about. Not just you short-sighted, tone-deaf fucking men.”

Dare hands fall from my shoulder as he grimaces and steps away. “Now, now, Antoinette,” he says softly. “You know what he means. No need to attack him when he’s feeling wounded.”

She’s standing a few feet away from me, her arms folded across her chest, giving me a disapproving look. She looks me up and down, then shakes her head as she says, “I’ll let it slide this time. But you better fucking watch yourself if you wanna start this ‘man is master’ bullshit with me. You’re not the only one allowed to fight back, just like you’re not the only one who feels pain when the people they love are hurt. Sure, you may feel it differently when it comes to Carolina, but she’s mine, too, so save your sanctimonious man-loves-best bullshit for another day, and let’s go get our girl.”

Dare is smiling at her fondly, an intense, proud look on his face, then he turns back to me and says, “Sometimes, we just gotta learn. And most of the time, we gotta learn the hard way.”

Matt pipes in, “And sometimes, we have to learn repeatedly. But as long as we learn eventually.”

I nod, blowing out a breath as I walk over to Matt. “Okay. We get on the plane for our best guess and, basically, hope for the best and plan for the worst. Am I missing anything?”

Nettie says, “Jayme and Declan will keep Flora at Declan’s place since it’s secure. The family she’s been hanging out with will go with them, so she’ll have some kids to play with, and maybe it won’t feel so weird. Also, Agatha is missing as well, so it’s safe to assume she’s with Carolina and Lilith. I sent her a text, but it’s currently unread.”

I curse, then sputter, “Of course she is.”

“I think I’ve worked out our best-case flight plan. I forwarded the information to Anton. He’s gonna send out some of his people to a few different locations that have a high probability of being their final destination. He’s gonna meet us in the location with the highest probability that that’s where she’s going.”

“Where isthat?“ I ask.

“Italy.”

I raise my brows and make a face. “Italy? Why the fuck Italy?”

He shrugs and responds, “Don’t ask me. It’s all based on numbers and shit. Do you want me to try to explain numbers to you?” We all shake our heads, and he replies, “Thanks. Fuck.”

Dare adds, “Fuck stats.”

I tsk Nettie and Dare. “Don’t both of you have a bunch of fancy degrees in math?”

They both look at me like I’m stupid, and finally, Nettie says, “And? That’s exactly why I say fuck math.”

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