Page 76 of Brutal Mercy

“Two nights from now, gentlemen, we need to be ready to move. This is an all-hands-on-deck issue. I want everything ready by tomorrow night. And then we attack the next day. Oh, and one more thing. Diego and Marco Alvarez, I want them captured, not killed, if possible. They’re to be brought here, and I will deal with them. Understood?”

They all nod in agreement. Every single bodyguard is well paid and loyal. They know the score. They know some of them might not make it. But the money they make will go to their families if they die in battle.

“Good. Dismissed. I expect hourly reports from now until go time.”

I glance at my brother. “Good hunting. Don’t get dead. Notify me once you’ve got Lyla.”

“Will do. Now go help your wife.”

I nod and leave the ballroom, taking the stairs two at a time. Worry dodges my steps on whether I can repair the rift.

I shove the door to our room open, wondering what I’m going to find. My heart breaks. She’s curled under the covers, looking small and fragile. I don’t mask my approach. I want her to hear me. But I walk around to her side.

She’s awake, staring off into the distance. Like she’s here but not. And I’m second-guessing the plans I made for this evening.

I touch her side, and she jolts. Her gaze finally tracks my way. “I’m not in the mood.”

Jesus. She thinks I’m coming to her for sex. When that’s the last thing on my mind. I’ve gone about this relationship with her all wrong. Making her believe that I’m just in it for sex and babies. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Then what do you want? Because I’ve got nothing more to say to you.”

“Ares is going to rescue your sister tonight.” I hadn’t planned on telling her until we had her sister secured. But she needs something to believe in. She needs action from me.

Surprise has her bolting up and grabbing my forearm. “Truly? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

I cup her chin. “Yeah, it’s true. But things could go wrong, and I need you to be prepared for it. She’s being kept at cartel headquarters. And the rescue is going to be extremely dangerous. Plus, we don’t know what’s been done to her in their care. I want you to be prepared that she might not be the sister you remember.”

“As long as she’s alive, we’ll deal with it. She can live here, right?”

“Of course. I’ve already got a room made up for her upstairs. I figured you’d want her close. And I’ve Dr. Moreno on the way. This way he’s on standby once my brother returns in case she needs medical attention.”

She stares with an unreadable expression. And then throws herself into my arms. “Thank you. You don’t know what this means. I’m sorry about earlier.”

My eyes shut as I hold her. I didn’t know I could love anyone the way I do Luna. “No apology needed. It’s been an emotionally trying day. And I thought to get your mind off things, we could head to the ballet tonight. They’re performing Faust. And I thought you might like to get dressed up and watch the show.”

“And here I was wondering how I would make it through the next few hours, when you’ve got it covered. Will you help me pick out a dress? Some of the order from Francesca arrived today. But I have no idea what will work.”

“I’d be happy to. And then I’m going to bring you home, and we’ll wait for news on your sister. Sound good?” I stroke my knuckle down her cheek.

We spend the next hour getting ready. She’s dressed in a gorgeous off-the-shoulder red dress and looks stunning. We head into the city and eat at a little Italian bistro right across the street. I’m starting to believe that we’re back on level footing. Once we get past this war, I intend to tell her everything, including my feelings for her. Because I want more than a marriage of convenience. I want her towantto be married to me.

Inside the theater, I usher her into my private box. She’s all smiles and gushing over how beautiful it is here. We take our seats.

“What do you think? Good distraction?” I ask.

She leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “The very best. Any news?”

I told her at dinner that Ares would try to stay in contact and let me know the moment he has Lyla. I hate to disappoint her, but I promised myself that from this point forward I would be totally honest with her. “No. But it’s not unusual, and I don’t want you to worry.”

There’s commotion in the box next to ours. Luna tenses at my side. I shift, dread settling over me.

Son of a bitch!

Diego Alvarez is in the box next to us with a smug grin. My hands clench. I want to kill the motherfucker. The vulgar way he looks at Luna marks him as a dead man. And if I had my gun, he’d already be dead. Luna shrinks against my side.

We’ve been betrayed. One of my men has to be on the take. And I can’t do anything about it right now. But I will.

Diego smiles evilly. His gaze trails over Luna in her red dress, and I want to reach across the space and smash my fist into his fucking face. It’s taking everything in me not to pulverize him.

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