Page 15 of Broken Princess

I sigh. Can't really argue with that. "It's also dangerous. Her being out there on her own anywhere is dangerous," I say, pointing at the door for emphasis. "You get that, right?"

"She's not wrapped up in this world the way you and I are," he counters. "You and her father have made damn sure of that."

I narrow my eyes, annoyed, mostly because he's right. But that's not going to bring her back right now.

"There are ways someone could figure out who she is. Even being tangentially connected to a Carrillo is a big deal. Then there's Romero."

"What do you mean?" he asks suspiciously.

"She's been traipsing all over town with the guy," I answer. "For all anyone knows, they're dating."

The words leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I never said I wasn't a hypocrite.

"He has as many enemies as I do," I continue. "Then there's her father."

"Yeah, I get it," he mumbles. "Why do you think I'm talking to you?"

I snort. It's a fair point. "Do you know where she's staying?" I ask.

He nods.

"Can I see her last message to you?"

He pauses a moment before reaching into his pocket to take out his phone and offering it to me. "You're just going to swipe it again anyway."

I ignore his bitter comment and open the phone. The most recent message thread is just casual banter about some show they both watch, and something about a doctor's appointment.

I look up from the phone, frowning. "Is she sick?"

"No," Anthony says, but there's something in his tone that makes me think he's not telling me the truth.

At least, not all of it.

If Amelia isn't answering her phone, though, we've got bigger issues right now.

The last six messages are all from Anthony, progressing into various states of panic as he pleads for her to write back. I can see he's called her no less than a dozen times in the past twenty-four hours, too.

Okay, something is definitely wrong.

"I was going to contact the police," he says, a nervous edge in his tone. "I'm just not sure if that would make things worse."

"It would," I say firmly, relieved he came to me first. "I need you to give me her address, and anything else you know about the places she would be there."

I expect him to argue again, but he just nods solemnly. When I walk over to the door, reaching for my coat, he asks, "Where are you going?"

"To talk with her father," I mutter.

It's the last damn place I want to be, especially since I know I'm going to risk outing my transgressions by approaching him about this, but this isn't just a matter of feelings anymore. Amelia's safety is on the line, and the last week and change have been torturous.

Torturous enough that it lead to some realizations, however inconvenient they are.

Iwillget her back.

Whatever it takes.

Whatever it costs me.

"Wait," Anthony calls. I turn around to face him. His eyes are shining with fresh determination. "There's something else you should know."

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