Page 73 of Killian

Now you see what I can do. Did you really think I wasn’t tracking your every move?

The blood in my veins runs cold. This is the traitor. I can’t even allow myself to feel relief knowing that this isn’t Killian. Instead, all I can feel is dread set in.

With shaky hands, I answer them.

I’m not afraid of you tracking me. All I care about is finding you. How about we end the charade and you give yourself up. I won’t be so merciful when I finally find you.

No matter what I’m feeling, I have to remain competent. If Killian taught me anything in our time together, it is that showing weakness will only make your target bigger. I’m no easy prey.

Oh, sweetheart. That’s cute. Even if you could find me, I wouldn’t be afraid. Now let’s cut the pretense. You stole something from me I can’t get back. So now, I’m going to steal from you. An eye for an eye, right?

I scoff at the screen.

What could I possibly have that you want?

Their response is instant.

It’s not about me wanting anything. It’s about you losing something. I’ll give you a choice. You can lose your old family...

I bristle as pictures of Bash, Sofia, Izzy, and Gio flash across the screen. I gasp as pictures of Bash’s daughter, Alessa, and Karrisa’s kids, Marcello and Francesca flash across the screen.

Or your new family.

One photo pops up.

Killian.

My heart races as I try to figure out what to do. Without thinking, I type, trying to break whatever security they have in place.

Nice try. It’s not going to work. You have twenty-four hours to make your decision. Either you go to your beloved and shoot him dead, or I go to each one of your family members and end their lives. I’ll start with the kids first. Don’t think I can’t get to them either.

The screen changes to a four-way split screen. One shows the nursery at Bash’s house. The next shows Alessa’s room. The third shows Francesca’s room. The fourth showing Izzy and Marcello in the living room. I sob, thinking about their innocent little faces. They can’t protect themselves. It’s obvious that this person can get to them no matter where they are. All it takes is one second of vulnerability and they would all be dead.

Why are you doing this?

I can’t help but ask the question.

You got too cocky, Greer. Thought you were invincible. You messed with the wrong family. Now it’s time for you to pay the piper. You have twenty-four hours. Don’t waste them.

The whole screen goes black, the laptop turning off without one keystroke from me.

Whoever this is, knows what they are doing. My body continues to tremble as I think about their ultimatum.

Do I tell Killian and hope he knows what to do?

What if I do and they are listening and decide I failed and follow through on their threat?

What if I do nothing? If I refuse to play their game, would they really kill all those people? Or would they go after Killian on their own?

Alessa’s face flashes behind my closed eyelids again.

Could I live with myself if an innocent baby died because of my inaction?

No. I couldn’t.

My breaths are coming faster now as tears flow freely down my face. The tightness in my chest turns to pain as I think about what I have to do. I don’t have a choice.

Going into my nightstand, I grab what I need. I don’t hesitate a moment longer. I head out the front door. I’ve never been more grateful that I sent Enzo on a task. If he was here, he would know something was wrong and never let me leave.

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