Page 41 of Vicious Vows

“Where is Collins now?” I asked.

“He fled with the guards.” His eyes widened as he started into mine. “Let us go. They left us behind.”

“I want to know who you work for,” I said.

“I told you we came here with Collins.” He nodded. “That’s who gave us the location.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate for you.” I pressed the gun to his temple.

“Wait! I have a contact on that phone.”

“No!” The man who was spilling his guts a few seconds ago didn’t seem as forthcoming now. “We can’t tell you who he is.”

“Why not?” Milo asked.

“We don’t know who he is,” he said. “He and Collins work together, and we’re only supposed to call him in an emergency.”

“Hmm…” I nodded at Milo. “I would say this qualifies as an emergency.”

“For you it does.” Milo cocked his gun and pulled the trigger.

The man dropped to the floor in a lifeless heap.

Now only one of them drew breath, but not for long.

“What the hell!” the survivor screamed. “Why did you do that?”

“Because I don’t need both of you.” I shoved the phone at him. “Call that emergency contact.”

With shaky hands, he did what I told him to do. After he dialed, I grabbed the phone from him.

On the third ring, a familiar voice answered. “Is it done?”

“Hello, Gian,” I said. “It’s been a while.”

“Who is this?”

“You call me your daughter’s captor, but she might not agree.”

“Accetti?” He raised his voice. “What do you want?”

“Well, since I’m calling you on your emergency line, you probably figured out that I’m not dead and neither is Milo.”

Milo shrugged and smiled at the failed assassin.

“What are you talking about?” Gian asked.

“Let’s not play games.”

“Where are my men?” Gian’s voice was raspy and irritated.

“Let’s see.” I paced in front of the man who was staring down Milo’s barrel. “One of your gunmen is lying at my feet, so he can’t come to the phone.”

“You son of a bitch.”

“Hmm…the other is awaiting his fate. It’s not looking good for him.”

“Mr. Gallanti,” the panicked man shouted.

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