Page 113 of A Breath of Life
“Answer it on speaker,” Costa said.
I tentatively reached out and hit Connect while shedding any hints of fear from my greeting. “Hello?”
For the briefest of moments, I imagined Diem’s snarly tone on the other end of the line, demanding to know where the fuck I’d gone because he was back at the courthouse looking for me, and I was supposed to stay in the bathroom. I wanted to believe the past hour had been a typical Tallus overreaction and that we would laugh about it for years to come.
But the voice that responded was not Diem’s, and hope plummeted.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Domingo. I don’t believe we’ve properly met.”
“Who is this? Where’s Diem?”
“He’s here. Furious but mostly unharmed. Whether or not he stays that way is up to you. Are you alone, Mr. Domingo? We need to have a serious chat.”
Costa nodded frantically while shooing away the server.
“I’m alone.”
“Good. Where are you?”
“That’s not important.”
The man chuckled. “You’re a wily one. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of games, so your little disappearing act has put me in a rather irritable mood.”
“Well, guess what, bucko? Kidnapping my boyfriend has had the same effect on me, so we’re even.”
Costa pinched his lips together and shook his head. Yeah, yeah, maybe I shouldn’t antagonize the asshole, but I was pissed.
“You’re a jokester.”
“Only when I’m stressed. Can I talk to Diem?”
“No. I need you to listen carefully. I’m going to spell out the terms of our agreement, and since Mr. Krause is working on his second warning, I suggest you pay attention. We don’t give thirds. One mistake, Mr. Domingo, and I’ll give the order to have dear old granny eliminated. Are we on the same page?”
In the background, Diem called my name. A choked cry tore up the last syllable.
“Shut him up.”
A muffled sound of impact.
A groan.
“Don’t hurt him.” My voice rose too many octaves, and Costa rested his hand on my arm, his finger pressed to his lips as he scanned the restaurant. “Please,” I added, quieter.
“Do as I say, and your life can go back to normal.”
“You want Clarence.”
“Yes, Mr. Domingo. You have until five tomorrow evening to deliver him. Not a minute longer. If I catch wind of police involvement, your boyfriend will watch his grandmother die. Then, I will release him into the hands of the Bishop. Hewillbe tortured, and he, too, will die. It might go on for days before his body gives up. I’ve seen it, and it’s ugly.”
“No police. Got it.”
“Good. Smart boy. Five tomorrow evening. If you don’t succeed, both granny and your boyfriendwill die. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
“Yes.”
“Good. Lastly, if you fail, I will hunt you down and deliver you to Ace personally.”
“Let me guess. I die, too?”
