Page 56 of The Pawn
“It doesn’t matter because he’s going to die. I’m going to kill him.”
“But the family, if they knew what I wanted, maybe they wouldn’t follow him.” She knows his plan. She knows why he forced her hand in marriage.
“They won’t hear that, not yet. He can tell them anything he wants. He’ll tell them I kidnapped you. Our families have never been friends. We’ve only ever had a truce in place, but that truce is broken. It was broken the day my shipment was seized. If Malek can muster up enough men, enough loyalty, he’ll come in the name oftaking you back. He’s thought it all through. He arranged it all and who knows how long ago? Michael paying back his debt to me. Him forcing you to marry him. Leaving you for me to find. I knew there was a reason. I knew.”
“I’m sorry?—”
“No. This is not your fault. I’m not going to say that again and I don’t want to hear you apologize for it ever again. Do you understand me?”
She nods. I know she does.
“I need to ask you about something, Allegra,” I say, thinking about what she said, how she said it. She looks leery, but I continue. “The marriage wasn’t consummated, but you said he would have. Tell me exactly what happened. What stopped him.”
“There was a call. I remember it was strange, all of it surreal. After he cut off my finger, even before, it was like going back and forth in time, my mind… it was hard to keep up. To tell what was real, what wasn’t. But the phone rang, and I remember how out of place it was. That’s why it stood out. Whoever called warned him to get out. Then you came. I don’t know how much later, but you came.”
“Did you hear the person on the phone?”
She shakes her head. “No. But wait.” She blinks, her forehead creasing as she thinks. “Earlier, a man came.”
“To the house?”
“Yes.”
“I forgot about it. How did I forget?”
“What man?”
“I don’t know who it was. I only heard his voice from a distance. I was in that room where you found me, but there’s a very small window at the far end. It was brokenbefore, too, when mom and I…” she trails off. I give her a minute.
“Okay?”
She nods.
“What did you hear?”
“That Malek needed to hurry up and do what he planned. Malek said the man worked for him, but the man said he didn’t. He was angry.”
“Would you recognize his voice if you heard it again?”
“I think so? I’m not sure. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right, sweetheart. It’s all right.”
She wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my neck. “Thank you for coming for me. Thank you for saving me.”
I hold her and she’s so small, so vulnerable. And I think. I think about the timing.
It wouldn’t have been Governor Moore. I don’t think he’d be stupid enough to cross me. Even if he was playing both sides, he’d be smart enough to keep his hands clean, at least as clean as necessary to come out on the winner’s side.
Besides, there were hours in between my visit to him and my arrival at the house and I saw the taillights of Malek’s car.
Who else knew where I was going? Enzo was in the hospital. The soldiers took orders from me directly. One of them could have sent a message. But Allegra said it was a call. You can’t make that kind of call in a car with three others beside you and the way they fought, they’re loyal. I know it in my gut just as I know Enzo is loyal. Jet and I were together. Jet cares about Allegra and he cares about me. How did I ever doubt that? I hate Severin, but I don’t think it was him. The gun Gage had delivered was tooconveniently his. That convenience clears him. Severin is a distraction. Another one.
The thought that I’m running out of options plays across my mind again.
I set my chin on top of Allegra’s head and think. She shivers. I pull her close.
“Let’s go inside where it’s warm.” Where you’re safe.
