Page 169 of Seeking Vengeance

Where the hell is Cole?

He should’ve been here by now.

“I’ll fight to the death to stop them from taking you.” Matthew leans closer, his commanding face an inch from mine. “But I’m unarmed and Bishop’s outnumbered. Do you despise me enough to risk them taking you back to Emmanuel?”

I wish I knew.

“Come on,amore mio.” He reaches out. “Be smart about this. Do what’s best for Stella.”

I hate how he wields my daughter like a weapon even though his argument is valid.

“You’ll take me to Cole?” I ask.

“You’ll see him as soon as he arrives. I promise.”

He holds out a hand as another booming knock sounds, this time closer.

I’m running out of time. Out of options, too.

“Okay.” I ignore his offering and nod. “I’ll go with you, but once I find Cole, I never want to see you again.”

40

Matthew

I helpLayla into the back of the Lincoln then climb into shotgun while Bishop takes the wheel.

She’s safe for now. At least from herself. She can’t escape again with the child lock on both doors. But my threat toward her is a different matter.

I want to throttle her. To shake and scold until she understands exactly how stupid it was to run from me.

“Ready?” Bishop shifts into drive. “I don’t think we’re going to leave the alley without being seen.”

I know, and I have no clue what Salvo will do about it. Give chase? Give up? Who fucking knows with that asshole.

“Slam your foot down and don’t stop until you lose him.” I glance to Layla in the back seat. “Put your seatbelt on.”

She does as instructed, her frantic eyes meeting mine. “What about the phone call?”

“Later.”

“Later? That wasn’t the deal.”

“We’re kinda busy here,amore mio.” I turn my attention to the side mirror as Bishop inches forward, my focus on the closed window we climbed out of more than a few yards back. “If we’re lucky, Salvatore and Remy will be searching one of the hotel rooms when we pass.”

They know she’s around here somewhere. In this suburb. Abri told me as much after the city search failed and I was forced to bribe my own damn sister.

“Evidently, we’re shit out of luck.” Bishop rolls the Lincoln to a stop.

“Why?” I raise my gaze to the alley, my pulse kicking at the sleek town car slowly approaching to block our exit.

“Want me to blow this pop stand in reverse?”

“That’s Cole.” Layla releases her belt and tugs at the door handle only to have it deny her freedom. “Let me out.”

“I need to speak with him first.” I shoot Bishop a hard look and shove from the car. “Keep her inside until I return and make sure you watch the back of those hotel rooms.”

“No, take me with you,” she demands. “He’ll kill you.”

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