Page 157 of Seeking Vengeance

“Is something wrong?” Emmanuel calls from the adjacent room, his derision sparking insanity.

He’ll give an order for her to be chased.

He’ll command my brothers. Their guards.

I’ve got no chance of finding her first.

“Hey.” Bishop grabs my shoulders. “I know that look in your eye, asshole.” He gets in my face, friend to friend, monster to monster. “We didn’t come here for this. No bloodshed, remember? Just a fucking conversation.”

“I can’t do it.” I shake my head. “I can’t let him go after her.”

“He’s bedridden, for fuck’s sake. He’s not going anywhere.”

“And what about Salvo and Remy? One order from him and they’re out the door.”

He leans closer, grabbing me behind the back of the neck. “They’re pussies. They—”

“They won’t hurt her,” Abri whispers from the balcony threshold. “I promise, Dante. They’d never do that.”

“See?” Bishop digs his fingers into my neck. “Pussies. Emmanuel’s the only one heartless enough to kill in cold blood and he’s too decrepit to do it.”

“No.” I shove him away. “They’ll find her and bring her back here.”

“If that happens, we’ll have De Marco and the guys waiting.”

“Abri, what’s going on in there?” Salvo snarls with impatience. “If this guard dog doesn’t move, he’s not going to appreciate my lack of warning shot.”

I claw my fingers into my palm, unsure which path to take as De Marco mutters something in reply.

“We’ll be there in a minute.” Abri cuddles her waist, the picture of sophistication and class now marred by eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry,” she whispers.

“For what? Betraying me or putting her in more danger?”

She cringes and casts a cautious glance toward the hall. “I washelpingher.”

“Why?” Bishop grates.

“She didn’t want to be here. You were forcing her—”

I step up to my sister. “I wasprotectingher.”

“I know what forced proximity with a man looks like.” Her response is barely heard. “I know what it feels like, too.”

“We don’t have time for this,” Bishop warns.

I fucking know we don’t. But Abri’s unchecked show of emotion raises my hackles. “What does that mean? Are you looking to get out of here?”

She straightens, her lips parting a crack, her eyes widening. She surprises me by not shooting down the offer. By hesitating for long seconds.

“Abri?” Emmanuel yells. “What’s going on? Where’s Torian’s sister?”

“We don’t have seconds to spare.” Bishop glares at me.

“Abri?” I warn. “What’s—”

“Go.” She steps back from the threshold. “We’ll talk later.”

I keep looking at her, keep trying to read what she’s withholding while my pulse beats for Layla’s safety. “Let’s get out of here.”

---