Page 174 of When Hearts Remember

“Hello? Who’s this?” The hairs rise on the back of my neck.

Finally, I hear a ragged breath. “Ethan, this is Dayton. Dayton Holden.”

Every atom inside me stills, focused on the voice coming across the line.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Let’s drop the bullshit. You’re looking into me and I know it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Greenwich Housekeeping Services. Really, you think I’m stupid?”

Quickly, I hit the record button on my phone in case the asshole says something incriminating.

“I’d ask you how you knew about our housekeeping vendors, but I suspect you’ll enlighten me.”

“You saw the two grand move. I’d tell you there’s more to this than you know, but if you don’t believe me, then I guess we have nothing to talk about.”

Drumming my fingers on the table, my mind races as the silence stretches on. The asshole didn’t specifically admit to anything, but it’s safe to say the jig is up. He knows we’ve caught him red-handed, and now he wants to trade something for leniency.

“What do you want, then? I’m a busy man.”

“I’m sure you have questions. Why is Fleur targeted? Why the small amounts? I have your answers, but I’m not doing this over the phone. Meet me on the Delfina in fifteen minutes. No cops. No wires. Nothing shady or else I’m gone.”

The Delfina is still parked in the Hudson as the crew finishes maintenance after the Christmas Ball.

“You’re insane if you think I’m meeting you at all.”

He scoffs. “Not insane. I just happen to have something—orsomeone—you care about.”

My stomach plunges, the ground suddenly unsteady beneath me. “What. Did. You. Say?”

“Got your attention, didn’t I?” I can almost hear the sinister smile in his voice. “If you care about Lexy, you’ll show up. Alone.”

“You motherfucker,” I rasp and force myself to calm down, to not give away my panic. “What makes you think I care about her enough to show up?” My pulse thunders in my ears, my hand gripping my phone in a vise.Lexy. Fuck, if he has her, I’ll—

Dayton snorts. “Drop the act. Your behavior at the ball told me everything. I don’t have her right now. But like I said, there’s more to this than you know. Aren’t you curious how she ended up in the Hudson all those years ago? A car accident but no witnesses or photos from traffic cams?”

My breathing grows thready. The cops ruled it as an accident—a rainy day and an inexperienced driver. Charles and Liam believed it. I was too overwhelmed with grief to question it. But now…my tightly leashed control snaps.

“You piece of shit! If you harm one hair on her head, I’ll find you no matter where you go. I’ll tear you apart, limb by limb until you lose your voice from screaming. I’ll—”

“Save your breath. You want answers? You want Lexy safe? There are people out there who won’t hesitate to hurt her again. Meet me on the Delfina and I’ll explain everything. No time to waste, Anderson.”

Shit. Fucking shit.I tug my hair and pace in front of my desk. I won’t survive if anything happens to Lexy. My heart throbs behind my rib cage, as if reminding me of the pain I endured when she was asleep—the torture that was worse than death.

I can’t let anything happen to her.

“How do I know you don’t have something up your sleeve?” Every atom inside me screams,this is a trap.

“You don’t. But you and I want what’s best for Lexy. If you want to keep her safe, you’ll show up.”

He hangs up and ice fills my veins.

My mind sweeps to the woman I love—the brilliant hair, the mischievous smirk, the life and energy finally shining in her eyes. Eightlong excruciating years, not knowing if she’d ever wake up, stubbornly holding on when everyone around her, her brothers included, spoke about her in past tense, as if she were already gone.

I’ll die before anything happens to you.

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