Page 84 of Fortress of the King

RAYNE

When I fishout my phone from my bag and see the No Caller ID, I want to faint. I try not to freak out, but this is always the part that makes me the most anxious.

I wish Angelo were here.

I internally kick myself. I’ve no idea where that thought came from or why I would wish it. Nevertheless, he’s the type of person who would know what to do in this kind of situation with Mia.

I know he could help me.

As strange as it is, in the times we’ve been together, I’ve felt safer with him than I have with anyone ever before. How I let myself get involved to this degree shocks me. There’s no reason to feel safe with someone like Angelo, none at all, but that’s exactly how I feel.

I stare at the phone, and hope blooms in my chest when I think about Enzo Russo and the fact that he may be able to get a trace on the call or IP address, or better still that he’s already found something.

I flick the screen across to answer.

“Hello?”

“Change of plans, Miss Michaelson.” The words hang like dread in the pit of my stomach the second they are spoken.

I swallow hard. “What do you mean?”

There’s a long pause. “I no longer need information.”

If this is meant to be good news, then why does my heart rate kick up a notch?

I wait, afraid that one breath out of place will change the outcome.

“What you’ve provided isn’t enough.”

Panic swirls through me as one hand reaches into my hair. “I’ve got more. I’m getting closer every time –”

“It isn’t enough.”

“Please,” I beg, “I’ll do anything…”

“I want him dead.”

I blink once, twice, then clear my throat. “Did I just hear you right? You said you want him –”

“I’m not in the business of repeating myself, but you heard correctly. The stakes have changed and I’ve no choice, which meansyouhave no choice, that’s if you ever want to see your sister alive again.”

I feel like I may actually faint for real.Dead?They can’t be fucking serious.

I stand there frozen in between my dining room and the kitchen. “Dead?” I whisper. “I can’t do that.”

I can’t kill Angelo Medici. What kind of drugs are these people on?

“Then I’ll tie her hands and feet and toss her into the Charles.”

I fist my forehead trying to think, but it’s hopeless. They have me. They have me at every turn.

“Why do you hate him so much?” I half shriek. “Why can’t you get someone else to do your dirty work? I’m not a fucking assassin!”

A soft chuckle sends a shiver down my spine. “No, which is exactly why it’s perfect. He won’t be expecting it, it’ll come out of left field. Since he’s so taken with you, it seems I’ve chosen well.”

“I need to talk to Mia.” My voice sounds strangled. “I need to talk to her now.”

I can’t do this.

---