Page 2 of Hell Hath No Fury

I have a message from Antonio stating he’ll be slightly delayed because he’s going to detour through Amsterdam to pick up Antoinette’s sister, Agatha.

I quirk a brow at the news that Agatha is in Amsterdam but don’t bother responding because any story that begins in Amsterdam is best told in person, especially coming from Agatha, who is well-known for her outrageous shenanigans.

One problem with the fuck-around crew being strewn around the world is that we can no longer rendezvous in one spot and execute plans as a unit. Luckily, Matt and Declan are already in the LA area, which made it easy for them to put into place enough recognizance to have answers within hours.

And with the knowledge that the Chameleon herself has taken this news personally, our options on infiltrating whatever organization had been in charge of this fuckery are limitless.

Because if someone did intentionally take my daughter, it would most likely be to use her as a pawn, either against me, Antonio, or any number of people directly linked to her. Which means, the sooner we get to the bottom of it, the more likely we are to get her back unharmed. Or at least no more harmed than she may already be.

Mickey’s voice breaks through my thought process, and I look at him and ask, “What was that?”

“So, she doesn’t remember?”

I shrug and shake my head. “That’s what Camilla said. She got up close and personal with her, and there wasn’t even one micro-expression that would give away she was hiding something.”

Mickey gives me an incredulous look and then asks, “So she got amnesia…again?”

I can’t help but laugh; the ridiculousness of it is not lost on me, considering a few years back, a traumatic event took Antoinette’s memories for months. “Well, if Darius can be kidnapped forty-two thousand times, then I suppose Antoinette can get amnesia twice.”

“She’s gonna be pissed when she finds out.”

Smiling, I respond, “Hell hath no fury.”

He smiles at the idea, but then it falls, and his expression turns serious. “I don’t even want to think about what’s been going on this whole time she’s been gone.”

“Camilla said she seemed well and that whatever is going on, it doesn’t appear to have anything to do with us. She even went so far as to say she seemed happy and healthy.”

“This is every shade of fucked up. There can’t be very many people left who would dare do this.”

“Could be someone who still thinks Darius is dead.”

Mickey shakes his head and makes a face. “You’re more of a threat than Darius on a good day, so it’s either someone who shockingly has never heard of you or wants you to come for them—someone hoping to get your attention.”

“But they would have to know that everyone would come for them. That doesn’t make any sense either.”

“So obviously, this is a trap,” Mickey replies quietly.

“That’s what Camilla said. Of course, she said it like it was some grand adventure she’s looking forward to.”

“She sounds like the cuckoo bird.”

I smile, knowing she’s definitely a bit out there but accepting that it’s also a big part of her charm. “Camilla actually managed to get her cellphone number, so hopefully that’ll remain active, and she can get in touch with her.”

“And Antoinette agreed to do lunch?”

I chuckle again. “Yes, a sure indication that she is not herself.”

My laughter dissipates, and I sit there staring at the wall behind Mickey, the reality of the situation washing over me. Mickey’s hand touching my arm draws my attention back to him, and he looks at me intently as he says, “We’ll get her back, Lils.”

I nod. “We sure will.”

WelandinLAin the middle of the night.

An SUV is waiting for us, and to my surprise, instead of being a run-of-the-mill driver stepping out from behind the wheel, it’s Matt.

I smile broadly, genuinely happy to see him, and when he walks up to me with his arms outstretched, I easily step into his embrace, returning it wholeheartedly. He gives me a squeeze and then steps back, his hands gripping my upper arms as he stoops over to look me in the eyes. “It’s her, Lils. It’s really her.”

“And Darius?” Antoinette and Darius disappeared at the same time, but it was revealed months ago that Darius was alive and well and would be in touch in due time for whatever reason he would divulge when that time came. As infuriating as this revelation was, we all had little choice but to accept that whatever reason Darius had for staying away was best for all of us because Darius rarely makes decisions to keep things from the group without a damn good reason.

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